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Mon 12/18
Story
Confidence Builder
Based on a story by Shawnelle Eliasen
After 22 years of homeschooling her five sons, Shawnelle’s youngest was attending the public high school. She was eager to find a new purpose—to help people and to challenge herself.
One day, Shawnelle was to undergo a blood test, which made her nervous. The phlebotomist was cranky, which didn’t help. Shawnelle recalled previous experiences with medical professionals who had exuded calm and competence. I’d like to do that, she thought.
So Shawnelle enrolled in a nine-week phlebotomy program at the community college. She loved being a student again and whizzed through the bookwork. However, she struggled with the hands-on portion of the course, taking longer than everyone else to pass those tests.
Shawnelle scored 97 out of 100 on the national certification test—a written exam—and was hired at a nearby hospital and assigned to train with Jan, the lead phlebotomist, in the hospital’s less-busy west lab. It was tough going, as Shawnelle kept missing patients’ veins and having to ask Jan for help. Shawnelle did a second week of training, then a third. Jan still didn’t think she was ready for the busier east lab, and Shawnelle wondered if she ever would be.
Finally, after six weeks, Shawnelle was assigned to the east lab. She began saying a silent prayer for each patient before drawing their blood, and she found that when she engaged with patients, she was adept at offering comfort and encouragement. Still, she had to push through her self-doubt.
One afternoon, Shawnelle was to draw blood from Dawn, a presurgical patient. Carol, the nurse, told Shawnelle that Dawn was afraid of needles and had had bad experiences with blood draws.
Shawnelle, after struggling to find a vein, gently explained that she would use a tiny butterfly needle to draw blood from a vein in her hand. Dawn nodded nervously. Shawnelle took a deep breath and began the procedure. While the tubes filled, she and Dawn chatted about their lives, their children, even what they were making for supper. Carol said to Shawnelle, “I’m so glad you’re here today. You were the perfect person to help Dawn.”
Afterward, Dawn thanked Shawnelle. “You helped me so much today,” she said. “More than you even know.”
Shawnelle realized that she didn’t have to be a technical expert; her gentleness, compassion and empathy were also important. She had found that new purpose in life, one even more rewarding than she had hoped.
Story
Story Title
Author Name, Organization Name
—Isaiah 43:18-19
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
NLT
Reflect
What perspective will you keep in mind the next time you try something new?
By focusing on my strengths, I can gain more confidence in myself.
Praying to God beforehand will help me push through doubt.
New experiences will help lead me to a more fulfilling, purposeful life.
May God’s love encourage and guide your steps today. We’ll see you again soon!
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