“You are scheduled to work on Easter Sunday!” my manager informed me. I was crushed by this news. As a nurse in a hospital I had been required to work many, many weekends. But, this was different; it was Easter Sunday! It meant I could not be with my husband and children nor with my church family either. I tried to get someone else to trade days with me, but no one was willing. I didn’t blame them!
With a heavy heart I went to work that Sunday morning. The day supervisor told me that I had been “floated” from my regular unit to the ICU. I didn’t mind going to our small ICU. The work load would actually be lighter since I would be assigned only one or two of the easiest patients in the unit because I was not a certified ICU nurse.
The shift change took place in the ICU nurses’ lounge. Report was given and then someone remarked about it being Easter and how sad she was that she couldn’t be with her family. I made a similar remark. Then the nurse in charge said, “Well, I guess Mary can give us our Easter message today since we can’t be in church!” I was in shock, but agreed to do so at lunch.
Amazed—but thankful--I checked with the Lord as I went about my morning nursing care. “What would you have me say to these women?” I asked the Lord. An idea came into my head: since all the nurses in the ICU that day were women, I thought I would recount to them how it came about that a woman became the very first evangelist: Mary Magdalene.
A few of the nurses gathered in the lounge at lunchtime. (Obviously all could not be present as some had to watch the patients!) Before I said anything, one of the nurses asked, “Well, Mary, we’re waiting. What message do you have for us today?”
With simplicity—and brevity—I recounted the meaning of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Then I told them how Jesus appeared first to Mary after which He commissioned her to take the good news to the apostles! I well remember one gal’s countenance totally changing as the truth broke in on her. Her face literally became brighter.
I really can’t remember details from any other Easter Sunday in my life. Only this one. Easter came alive for me as this Mary joined that other Mary on Easter Sunday in sharing the Good News with and encouraging fellow women in the Lord.
P.S.—I have to work this Easter, also. Hmmmm……Join me in prayer for one of my patients that I have begun talking to about the Lord.
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