“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2
There is no doubt that nurses are a caring people. The calling to be a nurse is a calling to care for others in some of the most critical times of their lives. Nurses must be experts in their field, willing and able to work long and difficult hours, and above all care for others with a servant’s heart. Lou Calhoun is a nurse in Madisonville, Kentucky. She works in the Endoscopy unit at the local hospital. She helps care for several patients, daily.
Lou Calhoun was working on a cold day in February. A patient came into the hospital with shoes that were just barley covering their feet. The shoes were full of holes. Lou remembered the patient from their last visit when they were wearing the same shoes. There was snow and ice on the ground outside and Lou could not stop wondering how this patient was enduring the Kentucky winter.
While looking at the shoes, Lou felt a gentle nudge to give her shoes to the patient. Lou’s shoes were a new pair of Brooks running shoes. She really didn’t want to part with her shoes, but she knew the patient needed them more. Lou reached down, untied her laces, and quietly handed over her tennis shoes. It was a real blessing to a struggling patient. Lou excused herself, found a pair of the hospital socks with the non-slip grip, and finished her work day.
This wonderful act of kindness caught the attention of her co-workers. They were inspired and reminded of how we are all called to take care of one another. Brooks, the maker of the shoes she gave away, found about Lou’s generous act, and sent her a voucher to replace her shoes with any pair of her choice from their online store. She has been interviewed by multiple news stations who want to share her act of kindness. Lou said, “we are to see and look and pay attention to the welfare of these patients and meet the needs we can while they are in our care.”
Knowing the love of God for us opens our eyes to see our potential to love others. Listening to the gentle whispering of God will lead us to be a blessing. Lou Calhoun is a reminder to us all that we are called to live a life of love. We can share the love we have received if we are willing to look around, see the need in our midst, and share the love that we have received.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
