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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Bridge to the future

Today is one of my first residency planning meetings with the dean.  I have successfully put off this kind of meeting for a year now since I deferred matching and graduation this time last year.   Unfortunately, other than knowing where T and I will be next year for his fellowship,  I don't have any greater clarity about what my professional future will hold today than I did a year ago.  I have tried finding the answer in my prayer life, talking with T, through program websites, while playing with my kids, in conversations with advisors.  Today, I've got no answers.  I struggle to straddle two worlds, my home life and the medical profession, both of which I feel demand my utmost excellence and attention.  I know which world I want to come first.  What does that mean for the other, for my contribution to the world in medicine?


Proverbs 31 speaks about "The Wife of Noble Character" who I desperately want to be:


A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.



Decisions about residency are so hard for me to make.  Today, if you think of us, please pray for my insight and wisdom as I search for sure footing for my next steps.

Update: just want to thank everyone for prayers and encouragement.  The meeting was long, but I came away from it with renewed trust in God's plan for me.  Can't wait see what the future holds!



6 comments:

SnoWhite said...

Will do, my friend.

Our church is doing an awesome series right now on the family and this week we talked about the role of the wife in the family -- it was excellent, uplifting and challenging all at the same time. And, when I read your post today, I felt called to share the link with you -- http://rivchurch.com/grow/weekend-services/messages/

Just ME said...

I have struggled with the same issue. = have my own business. I feel like I have had to stifle my drive for success. But then I have come to realize that my vision of success was not Gods vision. I have cut down my hours at work to make more time with my babies. They grow so fast. I know that I will have my time to achieve career goals later But now is time to raise the best Catholic witnesses I can. I have tried to make more time for God daily. I will bear more fruit investing my time with God and my family...Not so much my career. You,as a doctor, are helping so many for God. You are lucky to have a career that allows you to do so. But your babies will only be young once. I keep telling myself that everyday. God Bless you. I will keep you inmy prayers.

Queen B said...

So grateful for such great perspective and encouragement, you two. SnoWhite, can't wait to listen to the sermon you linked. Thanks for blessing me, my friends. Medicine is a tough road! Keep the prayers coming.

Jen said...

Oh how I know your struggle! It's been even more on my mind as I actually start residency. I will be praying for you guys!

Jen said...

I guess I also want to leave a link! I haven't even read this yet -- and probably won't have time to tonight -- but I DO love John Piper, so I'm assuming it's good: http://www.girltalkhome.com/blog/is-it-ok-for-moms-to-have-jobs-outside-the-home. The girl talk blog is from our (former) family of churches, Sovereign Grace Ministries. Anyway, I was also just thinking about how the decision would be easier if you didn't have to factor in the crazy/hard residency season of the doctor-calling. Then it would be easy to just work part time or something. Or even "just" work 40 hour weeks! But residency itself is just something else... maddeningly unavoidable.

Queen B said...

Thanks, Jen. Been praying for you, my friend, as you start your road. Can't wait to check out the blog from SGM. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Love to you all.