We always say “not enough time” for everything. Indeed time must be kidding us when we are working under such tight schedule. We think God is giving us a test.
I worked under severe pressure during past few months. And I needed some planning and had to divide my time equally. I had to nurse my sick aunt suffering from breast cancer two to three times a week. At the same time I need to serve my aging parents and not to forget to spare some time for my husband who is living separately and take care of his aging mother too.
I almost find no time for myself. I was ready to sacrifice my own happiness for the sake of family and loved ones. Taking care of a patient was a tiring job but at the end of the day there is a sense of fulfillment on my part as I have not run away from responsibility, and instead deal them with lots of love, patience and perseverance.
You need faith to support you while nursing a cancer patient otherwise you will easily break down witnessing all the pains and torments this terminal illness has brought. At first it was hard for us to accept but slowly we learned to embrace everything.
It just hurts us to see loved ones suffering terrible pain. It feels like thorns piercing in our hearts. Patients having cancer tend to seek extra attention. It takes a lot of patience, love and undersranding nursing them.
What made things even more difficult was the pandemic. We could not just freely go in and out of the hospital. There were so many stressful hospital guidelines and protocols to follow.
Through the help and grace of God I managed my time well. But at some point my hobby of writing has been sacrificed because I find no time to sit down. I always go from here to there moving to three different houses far away. If I steal some time I will write so that at least I can continue to inspire or touch others through my own story.
I thank God everytime I get up so that I can use the time and opportunity given to me to serve even in little way.
What is important is that we always give the best and quality time to our loved ones and to those who may need them in their lowest and darkest point.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Time is precious. We will always make the most of it so that we will never regret the time missed out doing things that we could have done. We should always make good use of our time to serve in anyway possible.
Lynn Salinas-Batoliño
The Philippines
