Thankfulness Opens Doors

Hey y'all,

I am now 24 days into residency (and OB Receiving) and finally feeling like I'm getting the hang of it. As the story normally goes, just as I am getting the hang of things, I am changing to a new rotation on August 1st. That same sense of anxiety I initially had is trying to rear it's ugly head, but I'm trying to continue to remind myself that I made it through this month in times when I thought I wouldn't. What has helped me most is ensuring that I do my daily devotional. It puts me in a good mindset to deal with whatever the day brings. On days when I fail to do it, things always seem to spiral out of control. That's been sort of my "Aha moment" of the month, when I realized that the closer I am to the Father, the better I am able to handle the things that come my way. I am, in no way, an uber religious person, but I do know who God is and I believe that He is the same for all of us. We just worship Him differently.

Everyday, He shows me more of who He is through this calling that He gave me. I try to keep in mind that He said that what I do for the LEAST of these, I also do for Him. I see so many patients struggling, making bad decisions for not only their health, but also the health of their babies. I also see women who do all they can and still have troubled or lost pregnancies. I try to treat all of them equally, whether or not I agree with their life choices because I'm not their judge. I have just been chosen to be their physician. Many times He gives me words to say that, after they've been said, I realize that they were not from me. I pray that I will always allow Him to use me as His vessel. Sometimes we get too big for our britches and think that we're the hottest thing going because we've made it to certain places in life. We forget that He has been the reason for all of that success. Then, just as any good parent will do, He shows us whos boss. I never want to lose sight of how I got to where I am in this life, nor who is going to take me further.

I saw a former classmate of mine while I was in the cafeteria the other day. He recognized me and asked me for some money and informed me that he had been homeless for seven years. I felt badly standing there in my freshly pressed white coat as he stood across from me in tattered clothing, with water dripping from his beard, as he'd come inside to get out of the rain. We went to middle school and high school together, yet our outcomes have been so different. I can't help but to thank and praise God for what He's done for me. That could have been me, but God...

I've been really torn up behind that encounter, but it puts so much into perspective. Now, when I find myself complaining about something or someone at work or in life, I remind myself of the other options that He could have chosen for me, yet He saw fit to bless me with much more than I deserve. I am determined to do right by those blessings.

I apologize that this weeks blog isn't a detailed description of everything that's happened in the last week. But what I posted today is what is on my heart and I wanted to share it with y'all. Have a great week!!

Mahogany Pearl: "__________, But God...." (You fill in the blank) :-)

Love, Your FAVORITE MD,

Keisha B.