Got Grace?

So, yes, big surprise, I have a tendency to get stuck inside my head every once in a while... :)

There's a saying, sometimes people choose psychiatry...and sometimes, psychiatry chooses them... Well, I believe it chose me. I believe I bring some of my gifts to my job, but more so, child psychiatry has brought so much to my life.

What does this have to do with being 'stuck' inside my head? Bear with me...my points in here somewhere... :)

Maybe it's the introvert part of me, or maybe it's the intuitive part of me, OR, maybe its just part of being human!... But, whatever it is, I sometimes have thoughts that spin and spin and dig and swirl and at times, almost paralyze me. Stressful thoughts can be either strong motivators, OR, they can feel like 1000 times the force of gravity, making it nearly impossible to even get out of bed in the morning!

So, here's a perfect example of how God's grace has worked its way through my life in the form of child psychiatry... We have this book that we give kids called, "Get Out Of Your Mind and Into Your Life". Wow! What a perfect motto! Well, I know from experience that for many of the teens I've worked with, this book has been a life saver. And for me, it's been no less than that. Have I read it? Well, no, but the title...a motto...a mantra... that phrase has been enough to keep me going on more than a few days. And praise God for it!!

It seems kind of silly, but I have occasionally, literally, spent an entire day feeling like a wind up toy...winding myself up by repeating those words over and over, and doing work, being productive, and, "Getting Into My Live," even when my thoughts try to suck me back down into a stand-still.

And well, I guess, for all of us, some days are like that...

And on those days, I'm just so thankful for God choosing child psychiatry for me...and helping me to stay focused on the beauty that is my life. :)

Dear God, Thank you so much for your Grace. I'm unworthy of it but still, I'm whole heartedly thankful. And Lord, thank you for the gifts you've given me in this life. My friends, my family, my home, my son, and my career. You've granted me the opportunity to be helpful, and even more, to be helped. Everyday I'm touched by the kindness of my fellow nurses, and by the richness of the lives of our patients. Thank you for helping me to grow, appreciate, and strengthen my ability to love others, even when life is hard, and teenage attitudes are even harder! I pray that every day I become a better nurse and in your name I will carry out your plan, to help, to heal, to love, and to be an example of a good and caring woman, mother, and nurse. AMEN!

By God's Grace...we live another beautiful day, and "get into our lives".

Peace friends!
~Erica