God's Strength

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29 (NIV) 

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NIV) 

At the height of COVID 19 hospital admissions, “Kelly” a young RN, had worked a double shift, as they were so short on staff. Kelly was exhausted and looking forward to going home and getting some sleep. Then her supervisor informed her that an elderly patient likely would not survive overnight. Because of COVID 19, none of his loved ones were allowed to be with the elderly patient. Kelly decided to be with him and hold his hand so he would not be alone. When Kelly’s supervisor told the man’s loved ones, they were touched and grateful that Kelly stayed with him as he passed. I have heard of similar stories from my relatives from coast to coast. 

Ordinary people have found ways to help others during the pandemic. In Omaha, two neighbors decided to organize an effort to sew 10,000 mask covers for area hospital personnel during the coronavirus.  More than 600 volunteers signed up in just a few hours after a story about the effort ran in the Omaha World-Herald.  So many volunteered, they had to tell people they couldn’t help on the first project. A total of nearly 2,400 people found their Facebook page, Nebraska Masks for Medicine. All have kept busy. Members of the group helped sew more than 140,000 masks and mask covers. They also produced 3,600 surgical caps, 200 surgical isolation gowns, 500 face shields, and 1,000 ear savers. They organized fabric, elastic cutters, sewers, kit assemblers and drivers who helped pick up and drop off kits and supplies.

More recently, I learned of a team of nurses, respiratory therapists and a doctor who worked through the night to care for 19 tiny babies as Hurricane Laura slammed southwest Louisiana. The babies, some on ventilators or eating through feeding tubes, survived the storm in the neonatal intensive care unit at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women. Hours before Hurricane Laura made landfall, the staff had to move the babies from the women’s hospital to the main hospital after it became clear that the storm surge could inundate the women’s hospital. The nursing staff cared for the babies that in some cases were born weighing only a pound or two. Some of the nursing staff lost their houses in the storm but put their concerns aside to care for their tiny patients.  

Each of us can help in some way during difficult times. We can pray for those who choose to serve in extraordinary ways. We can be grateful that God is with us and with all those who need God’s strength.                             

Prayer: Dear God, remind us that with your strength, we can serve others at all times. Amen.

Lois Poppe