[title subtitle=”words and images Myra Cardwell”][/title]
It was a simple question. Just four small words. The film about foreign missions had ended, and, as I had done many times before, I asked the Lord, “What can I do?” I expected that still small voice to encourage me to make another donation, or maybe help the Women on Missions make bags for the itinerant farm workers. When I heard, “Be a nurse,” I looked around to see who had spoken. It took a few seconds to realize that He had answered my question. I was certain it was just a test. After all, I was well past fifty years old; how on earth could I accomplish such a task? Not wanting to be disobedient, I decided to investigate the possibilities. After all, there were many factors out of my control to be considered, not the least of which was being accepted into the nursing program. If I tried and failed, at least He would know I tried.
My first stop was the office of the nursing recruiter at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center (now Mercy). Before I actually registered for anything, I wanted to know whether or not there was a market for well-past-sixty-year-old nurses. Imagine my surprise when she told me that not only was there a market, it was very likely that I could receive a scholarship from the hospital for my tuition. It was beginning to look like He was serious.
I approached the pre-requisites with the same skeptical attitude. To fail at one of them would be my sign that He knew I had attempted to be acquiescent. Algebra seemed the most intimidating, so I decided it would be first. If I could not master that course, I certainly did not want to waste time with the others. I made an “A.” Chemistry was next, and, even if I had taken chemistry in high school, after more than thirty years, it would have done little good. I passed, but not with the “A” I so desperately wanted. (I was beginning to get into this education thing.) After two or three more semesters, it became apparent that if I followed this course of action, I would be a candidate for a nursing home before I became a member of the nursing profession. What if I spent all that time preparing for the program, and was too old to participate? He had brought me this far, I might just as well go for it.
Since becoming a Christian, I have never doubted God’s presence in my life; however, I had no idea of the extent to which He would go to help me accomplish my assignment. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking that somewhere along the way I would be stopped. Even though I was doing exceptionally well academically (through no fault of my own), there was that dreadful TEAS test, application and the interview. Who in their right mind would accept a grandmother into the program when there were dozens of younger students applying for the few slots available? The first shock came when I saw my score on the test. Okay, now the real test would come in the interview. The ladies interviewing me asked why I wanted to be a nurse. I took a deep breath and started at the beginning. To their credit, they did not stare open-mouthed at me, but as I left the room, the voice in my head was saying, “That does it, Lord; I did my part. Now the rest is up to You.”
The letter finally came. I had resigned myself to reading, Thank you for applying… When the letter started, Congratulations, you have been accepted…, I had to read it three times. What I thought would be the end was just the beginning. The voice in my head was asking, How will you pay for it? and What about your job? Out loud I said, “The Lord will provide.”
I gave a month’s notice to my employer, applied for several scholarships and student loans, and waited. The first scholarship came, along with assurance of a position after graduation, from St. Edward Mercy Medical Center. By the time I was notified of the one from the university, I was over being shocked, but was still somewhat apprehensive about quitting my job. Not nearly as much so as my husband, though. He had been supportive of my efforts thus far, but he was having a hard time dealing with my impending unemployment.
My last day appeared more suddenly than I had expected, and the part-time job offers so far were non-existent. By nature, I am a staunch supporter of the “plan everything in advance” theory; however, I was finally convinced that the Lord would provide. Therefore, I was not totally surprised when, after the party, presents and well-wishes, my boss asked me to stay on a part-time basis (with health insurance benefits) until my replacement was comfortable without me.
A year later I was still working part-time while taking summer classes, knowing that with the beginning of the fall semester, it would be impossible to continue this arrangement. Working while completing the last year of my course of study was simply not an option. Student loans were subsidizing my income, now they would become the only source. Considering my age at this time, I found it rather amusing that I would be paying back my student loans with my Social Security benefits.
That last year was tough, but the Lord and I (emphasis on Him) made it through. Never shall I ever forget the day I sat for my State Board Exam. As I sat in my car, I prayed through tears that I knew if, in fact, I had passed, it had nothing whatsoever to do with my knowledge, but entirely His grace. Pass I did, and in July, 2009, I became a licensed registered nurse, and began a journey that, to this day, amazes me.
I have found my niche in acute dialysis. It has been a privilege for me to care for hundreds of patients facing a critical and confusing turning point in their lives. I have not forgotten that my passion for the mission field is responsible for my late-in-life career change; however, I will enjoy the blessings I receive on a daily basis until He makes known His plans for me in that arena.
The Social Security Benefits payment plan? That is working out very nicely, thank you. Make no mistake, the Lord will provide.
