Sacred Stories | Everything Is for a Reason

“Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people. When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.” – Henri Nouwen, Catholic priest/writer/theologian (1932-1996)

One day when I was working on the medical/surgical floor, I had a patient who was battling cancer. She was scared of what was ahead of her. When her family was present, she kept a brave and positive outlook. But it was just her and me that day, and she was having a hard day.

I have had stage four cancer and went through chemotherapy and radiation. Cancer gives one a new outlook on life, and on being a nurse. God has a purpose for everything in life, and I know God put me in this patient’s path to bring her hope. I shared my story of surviving cancer with her.

The relationship that blossomed after that was amazing. She told me she felt she had to be strong for her family and friends, but she felt so alone. She cried as we talked about the trials of cancer. I was able to give her hope. I felt blessed to be the person she was able to talk to. I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to help her deal with the emotions of having cancer. She kept saying, “You know how it feels to go through this. I feel like I can cry around you, and you will understand.”

I have come to know that whatever happens is in God’s plan. I can offer cancer patients hope because I have learned to rely on God to get through difficult times. As I reflect, I now understand that cancer has turned out to be one of God’s biggest blessings in my life.

Shared From the Sacred Stories Archive