05.21.10
You Gotta Have Faith…
I was walking to the medical clinic one morning and was approached by a man asking if I could spare some money.
“I’m sorry I can’t. Have a nice day,” I said as I walked by.
“Do you mean it?” he asked.
I stopped. Did I mean what? That I can’t spare change? Truthfully, as an “employee” I cannot give anything to any potential clients- so really, I was being honest.
“Excuse me?” I asked, genuinely confused. Then my heart began to race- I have NO idea who this man is. What if he was angry? Violent? Who was around to witness if anything happened? WHY did I stop?
“I wanna know if you really meant it. Do you REALLY want me to have a nice day?”
“I do sir, but I have to get to work. I’m running late.” (Again, not a lie)
I started to walk past him at a VERY brisk pace.
He called to me again. “If you want me to have a nice day, pray for me.”
I stopped. “Sorry?”
“If you really want me to have a nice day you will pray for me. I’m not a stupid man but I made stupid decisions. I need help and I know that- so I need you to pray for me. Will do you that?”
“I will,” I promised. And I did. On my way into the clinic I prayed that this man would receive the help that he needed.
A few minutes later, as I settled into the triage desk, I looked up from the computer screen just as a man fiddling through papers looked up at me. Sitting at my desk was that man from outside. We just looked at each other half in shock- and maybe even pointed at each other- and said “it’s you!”
“Did you pray for me?” he asked. I nodded.
My faith isn’t something I ever struggled with, but I’ve come to realize that it was never anything I really depended on, either. I was never really aware of God’s presence and/or possible effect on my life. I’ve seen some of the most beautiful things in the world and witnessed the most incredible acts of selfless love- but I have also seen suffering, tragedy and injustice. In both extremes, God’s presence was unknown to me.
Since working as a nurse at St. Vincent De Paul Medical Clinic I’ve met so many people, like the patient above, who have absolutely nothing but their faith. My patients, most with failing health and many without a change of clothes, a roof over their heads or access to food, have only their faith, and yet they push on day to day, many times with a smile on their faces. I have been indefinitely humbled by my patients and my faith has been undeniably strengthened. Seeing these people rely on and function solely with their faith has given me greater understanding to the belief that “with God, anything is possible.” Working with these clients has also taught me to see and accept God and His love in everything I see and do. I recognize God’s presence in all of the beauty and experiences I have been blessed with in my life, and I am now comforted by knowing the power of faith in times of struggle.
Allison Folker, San Diego