Heart Rewards
"Give her the reward she has earned . . ." –– Proverbs 31
(NIV)
Some of the special moments in life, occur when we perform
an act of kindness for another. These acts come truly from
the heart without any sense of self. When we perform these
acts, we don't know how God will respond.
Several years ago, I worked as a nurse manager for a state
facility that served the physically and mentally challenged.
The nurses in our unit worked very hard. As a manager I was
well aware of this fact because I had worked my way up the
ranks.
Our unit cared for one hundred patients and some days this
could be quite overwhelming. I knew what it was like to come
in and learn that other nurses had called in sick. Hearing
this news made me dread that I was going to work alone that
day. Then, there were the days that I stretched myself thin
because everyone needed me at the same time and setting
priorities was a difficult task.
Every nurse will tell you that the pay does not compensate
for the energy put into the job. One day, a nurse in our
unit approached me about receiving a raise. I knew that she
was at the top of the pay scale, but she was a hard working
individual. I made the decision that I would not let that
stop me from seeing what I could do for her. However, it
meant approaching my boss, which was not always a pleasant
task.
My boss could be a harsh taskmaster. He had a way of making
you feel like Moses approaching Pharaoh, with his
unrelenting ways. But in my heart, I knew my mission. The
day arrived that I would take the step. That morning I awoke
with an incredible sense of peace. I lingered in bed and
enjoyed the spirit that had overcome me. I knew this was the
day I could tackle any task! I told myself after making
morning rounds, that I would approach my boss and accomplish
my mission. When I spoke with him that morning, I could
sense an empathic tone in his voice; unfortunately, the
answer I received was, no. He said he was sorry, but this
nurse was at the top of the pay scale and there was
absolutely nothing that he could do for her.
That is exactly what I expected to hear, I thought to
myself, as I sat there for a moment, sinking, in that
feeling of rejection.
Then, he continued to speak. "But I can give you a raise."
Me! I thought. That was the furthest thing from my mind.
He went on to tell me how he appreciated all the hard work I
had done. He continued, however, that he couldn't guarantee
that this raise would get approved, but he would submit the
paperwork immediately.
I walked out of his office bewildered. I asked myself, What
just happened? This wasn't at all what I set out to
accomplish. This was truly an unexpected turn of events! I
realized God had given me favor in the sight of my boss.
Two weeks later, my boss casually approached me and said my
raise had been approved. He went on to say, "In all my years
of working for the state, I have never seen a raise approved
so quickly."
I pondered over these events, and the incredible peace that
I experienced that morning, as well as the boldness that had
come over me, as I sought out God's will to do something
special for another. I couldn't help but wonder, Could God
be rewarding my attempt to help someone else? The very
thought of it warms my soul.
Annettee Budzban is an author, freelance writer, and
religion columnist. She has been published on numerous e-zines
and with magazines such as Guideposts Angels on Earth. Her
book When Heaven Whispers contains short inspirational
stories and devotions. Her e-mail address is
ahrtwrites2u@aol.com