A Better Response

A Better Response

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

Emma and Clara are twins. Both are nurses at the local emergency room, Emma on the night shift and Clara on the day shift. Both are tall, have bright red hair and perfect teeth, and are generously built. But that’s where the similarities end.

If faced with the proverbial eight-ounce glass holding four ounces of water, Emma would flash her gorgeous smile and say, “Why, anybody can see the glass is half full.”

Clara, on the other hand, would say, “Look, I’ve got better things to do than answer silly questions about half-empty smeared glasses. I hope you aren’t planning to drink out of that.”

On their hospital shifts, Emma’s most common statement is a soothing “Now, don’t you worry. We’re going to take good care of you.” Clara’s comment is more apt to be “Well, you’ve really done it this time, haven’t you?”

Which nurse would you rather meet if you needed medical help?

These young women were raised in the same household by parents who emphasized the harshness of the world into which they were born. Both made early choices to go into nursing to help ease some of that harshness. But it was Emma who turned to the Bible for help during their tough RN training. As she read the command in Philippians 4:8 to think on “excellent and praiseworthy” things, she found her response to be life changing. And with that change came opportunities to encourage those around her.

I wonder, How would our lives and the lives of those around us change if we made the same decision?   —SANDRA

Lord, you know I’m more of a glass-half-empty person. How can I not be when I see all the problems? The constant threat of terrorism, repercussions from global warming, starvation in developing countries, and hunger and abuse in my own city make me want to give up. But that’s not a good solution. So help me to do what I can do to make this a better world and to brighten the world of those around me. Maybe, just maybe, if enough of us decide to make a little difference, we’ll find we’ve made a big difference.

It is not because things are good, but because He is good that we are to thank the Lord. —HANNAH WHITALL SMITH (1832–1911), QUAKER LAY SPEAKER AND AUTHOR