Post by: Christy Mobley
When my mom was sick a couple of years ago a palliative care doctor was assigned to her case.
Palliative care is the multidisciplinary approach to specialized medical care for people with life-limiting illnesses, focussing on providing relief from pain and physical and mental stress of the terminally ill patient and their family.
But Dr. Robinson was more than that.
Though she was first trained in neurology it was obvious her heartbeat was in palliative care. I could tell early on she was gifted from God for this vocation because she gained my sister’s trust which is nearly impossible to do.
Dr Robinson naturally doled out comfort, concern and love in the most difficult of situations. She was warm and caring like the favorite blanket you want to wrap up in on a cold, raw day. And raw was a good description for the way my sister and I felt in the days leading up to Mom’s death.
Dr. R. took time to know each of us. We exchanged business cards. She even said she would read my blog and to my surprise she actually did.
After my mom’s death I wrote a post on advanced directives, I re-titled: Love to Perfection, Leave Direction. You see, a lot of our emotional trauma in those last days came from the fact we didn’t know what my mom wanted and she could’t tell us. She had always talked about a living will but neither my sister nor I could remember her writing it up or where it would have been placed if she had. After reading my post Dr. Robinson asked if she could share my blog with her colleagues to help them understand what families go through. I, of course, said yes. Goodness, what blogger wouldn’t want a few more clicks on their site?
A couple of weeks ago my phone rang. I let it go to voicemail when I didn’t recognized the number. When I listened to the message I heard the kind, soft-spoken voice of Dr Robinson. I was touched. I returned her call and we chatted. She asked how I was and about each of my siblings. Then she told me something that floored me.
As the need for palliative care has taken root, over the last year and a half Dr R. has traveled literally around the world (even Russia) delivering lectures and instructing doctors on the intricacies of her vocation. But that’s not what gave me goosebumps, after all that’s her heart. But what she said next, did.
She told me she had been taking the words from my post and using them in her seminars around the globe.
In a world where quotas matter, to-do lists keep us running and one more click to your website is paramount, her words spoke like a prophetic message straight from God.
Numbers don’t count, only people do.
So why do you do what you do? To be liked? To stay competitive? To get it done? Get ahead? Or for the sheer joy of being in your gifting and bringing glory to God however He sees fit?
And what do I want? More numbers to my website or more hearts equipped and trained to love those in need?
I have no doubt God orchestrated my meeting of Dr Robinson in December of 2015. That’s the kind of God we serve. While I was thinking about possibly raising numbers God was thinking about possibly touching hearts.
Perhaps we get too caught up in what people expect from us rather than what God wants to do through us.
Work out our purpose.
Because it is in living out our purpose we find true joy. And I’ll have to say, on this day, I found it.
Loading InLinkz ...About Christy Mobley
Christy is an award winning writer, national speaker, wife, mother, mother-in-law, and first time grandma! She is passionate about helping women see God working for their good in the midst of their circumstances.
When Christy isn’t with family, speaking or writing, you can find her on the tennis court chasing a fuzzy yellow ball. You can connect with Christy on her blog, Joying in the Journey, Facebook, and Twitter
[…] Sharing with Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup […]
[…] Sharing with Richella at Imparting Grace, with Susan B. Mead at #DanceWithJesus, with Char at Trekking Thru, with Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart, with Crystal Storms at #HeartEncouragement, with Suzie Eller at #livefreeThursday, with Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup […]
Christy, what a beautiful post. And our God . . . how lovely that He blessed you with a special doctor to help you and your siblings during that difficult season. Thank you for the reminder that, though numbers may seem cool, it’s people who matter the most. May many continued to be blessed by your writing.
Thank you Jeanne. The Lord helped me realize what ‘s most important. Hearts.
[…] Today I’m linking up with #RaRaLInkup […]
[…] me today on Purposeful Faith to finish the story and find out why in the world I’d be talking about Dr Robinson now, a […]
Christy,
Thank you for such an honest post. Our selfish selves get caught up in numbers and clicks and everything “Me”. God, in His goodness has a gentle way of reminding us it’s not about us, it’s all about Him. What a blessing that God has used your post to help and touch so many people around the globe who are going through what you have already gone through. Definitely, it was a divine appointment between you and your wonderful doctor. Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thanks Bev. God has a way of changing our perspective if we’ll let Him! #CountOnGod
[…] Be Mopping the Floor, JEmbellish, Blessed But Stressed, GodSized Dreams, Donna Reidland, Mrs. AOK, Purposeful Faith, Sarah Frazer, Mummascribbles, Jaime Wiebel, Home Stories A to Z, Simple Life of a Fire Wife, Live […]
Christy, so thankful for the way God intervened so clearly in your situation, and for the encouragement you received.
Yes Michele, God is good all the time!
This is a great reminder to focus on the important things which is putting others before ourselves. This is what our Savior did for us and when we do that He can be reflected in our response to others.
Amen Barbara!
[…] with Char, Kelly, Barbie, Lori, Terri, […]
Oh, Kelly. What a beautiful thing has come out of something so difficult. Your reminder is so important. What is our Why? Who are we doing this for?
Thank you for reminding me
I’m sorry…I typed Kelly…..
Thank you Christy for sharing your story and for the great reminder.
No worries Becky. I hear your heart!
Hugs~
Kelly….this is exactly what I need this morning! It’s so true and heart felt, and I’m going to change my perspective!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
That’s an amazing story, Christy, so encouraging! We’re so often focused on the wrong things, aren’t we? And we forget or don’t see other things God wants to do through us. Amazing!
Yes Betsy, I love it when God redirects our perspective. And He does it because she loves us!
I probably need to check my motive for doing things every day! I find that I have two main overarching motives. One is for Christ and one is for Amy. I try to admit it to myself and ask the Lord to change my heart. Thanks for affirming that this “check” needs to happen!
Oh Amy, yes, we all need to check our motives daily. God is for sure and is gracious to point us in the correct direction.
Christy this is right on. I think this topic has probably been the one lingering the longest inside my heart. It is like we want permission to lay down what we should do for what we know we need to do. When I come at work before coming to God and it turns habit, I get all mixed up. When I live IN him, he leads and I can feel it in my bones. So basically, he is always there leading me but am I looking to Him? When I do, I can trust he is leading my heart too. Thanks for this. I thoroughly enjoyed your story. It is inspiring and convicting!
Thank you Meghan. I’m glad it touched a place in your heart.
[…] This post is shared at: #TeaAndWord #RaraLinkup #TuesTalk […]
First of all, condolences in the loss of your mother. I treasure mine everyday. What a wonderful post, God used you for the doctor’s benefit. As for living wills, they are fine, but what if sometime you can’t speak and have changed your mind? I pray God gives us wisdom on that.
That’s a tough one Rebecca. My daughter-in law-said something to me when we were trying to make decisions for my mother that made all the difference in my hurting heart. She whispered in my hear as she gave me a hug, God has already decided the number of Mee-Maw’s days and nothing you decide will change that.
Bless~
Christy- what a testimony to God’s amazing work! God used something hard and turned into something helpful!
Kelly, what a beautiful story of God’s purpose for us all … as you said, it’s always about people. I know I needed that reminder and I’m sure many others did, too.
May God continue to use your words to touch lives!