Prayer Lost in a Snowstorm
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Just before the snow started falling last week, a story hit the BBC news screens about a nurse who had been disciplined by her local health authority. She had offered to pray for one of her sick patients.
A complaint was made and the nurse was suspended. I must confess that I did not hear how this situation, which my wife mentioned to me, finally ended. This is mostly because we were treated to an avalanche of news stories about several inches of snow falling, cars being stuck and schools being closed. Suddenly, a story about insane political correctness was bounced from the screens in favour of far more important issues. After all, there was a rumour that a lady had slipped on the ice in Middle Wallop and that a man in Surrey took two hours to get to work.
In 2005, my wife was critically ill with multiple organ failure in a London hospital after a routine, but large operation had gone wrong. The medical staff were highly professional and truly devoted to saving her life. Having seen blood counts, chest x-rays and the sheer sight of her fighting for her life, I am still amazed that she made it through. Whether it was her fighting spirit, the need to stay alive for the sake of our children, or something more powerful that saved her, I will never know.
Now, I have difficulty with religion. I don’t believe I’m an atheist and I don’t know whether I’m an agnostic. However, I prayed for my wife during her four weeks in intensive care. My wife needed constant one-to-one nursing care. One of the nurses, a charming lady of African descent, offered to pray for her. We accepted it gladly, not knowing what faith this nurse belonged to, and frankly not caring. By this time, although still critically ill, my wife was conscious. She still remembers the strength that she received from this lady and she is sure that it was one of the many things that contributed to her pulling through.
Of course, religion no longer seems to be acceptable in the workplace in this politically correct society. However, I have no doubt that the faith that drives both of the nurses in question also contributed to them entering a caring profession as they did. Our health service is not staffed by people entering it exclusively for the money. It relies on those who see it as a vocation, and on some who even see it as a calling. To deny innocently offered religious expression is naïve and counterproductive. To discipline a principled, caring woman for offering to help is as bad as relegating the news item in favour of a few inches of snow.
It is a shame that intelligent debate on meaningful issues takes place late at night or not at all.
For those more interested in the weather, I understand that the cold snap is to continue for a few more days. Which makes me wonder whether the lady in Middle Wallop has recovered from her slip.
In 2005, my wife was critically ill with multiple organ failure in a London hospital after a routine, but large operation had gone wrong. The medical staff were highly professional and truly devoted to saving her life. Having seen blood counts, chest x-rays and the sheer sight of her fighting for her life, I am still amazed that she made it through. Whether it was her fighting spirit, the need to stay alive for the sake of our children, or something more powerful that saved her, I will never know.
Now, I have difficulty with religion. I don’t believe I’m an atheist and I don’t know whether I’m an agnostic. However, I prayed for my wife during her four weeks in intensive care. My wife needed constant one-to-one nursing care. One of the nurses, a charming lady of African descent, offered to pray for her. We accepted it gladly, not knowing what faith this nurse belonged to, and frankly not caring. By this time, although still critically ill, my wife was conscious. She still remembers the strength that she received from this lady and she is sure that it was one of the many things that contributed to her pulling through.
Of course, religion no longer seems to be acceptable in the workplace in this politically correct society. However, I have no doubt that the faith that drives both of the nurses in question also contributed to them entering a caring profession as they did. Our health service is not staffed by people entering it exclusively for the money. It relies on those who see it as a vocation, and on some who even see it as a calling. To deny innocently offered religious expression is naïve and counterproductive. To discipline a principled, caring woman for offering to help is as bad as relegating the news item in favour of a few inches of snow.
It is a shame that intelligent debate on meaningful issues takes place late at night or not at all.
For those more interested in the weather, I understand that the cold snap is to continue for a few more days. Which makes me wonder whether the lady in Middle Wallop has recovered from her slip.
Here Is The Writer : Peter Haines
Peter Haines has more than 20 years of experience in regulation and compliance, which he now offers through his consultancy firm. Peter has the misfortune to support Tottenham Hotspur, Kent CCC and England or Great Britain in most competitive sports. Fortunately, he enjoys a full and happy family life with his wife and two children in Suffolk, which compensates for the sporting trauma associated with supporting Spurs and England. Anybody who knows Peter well will confirm that he has the ideal physical profile of an armchair supporter.
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