Who Am I?

After an exhausting day at work, it was my second week of On-Call rotation for an Home Health agency that provided patient care 24/7. I can remember receiving an after-hours phone call from one of our patients that she needed a nurse. After the patient, who I will refer to as Mrs. M, relayed the issue, I realized that the first level On-Call nurse would have to make an in-home visit to the patient. As I explained that a nurse would be there in 30 minutes, the patient asked, “You aren’t sending the nurse who comes to my house three times a week, are you?” Immediately, I realized that Mrs. M’s question indicated that a severe issue existed with her assigned Home Health Aide. I reassured the patient by giving her the name of the nurse who would make the evening visit.

Since this was the first time that I had spoken to Mrs. M., I realized for her to trust me that she had to feel comfortable speaking to me. We begin to talk about her hobbies. She expressed her love of crocheting. Since I was also an avid member of the yarn nation, crocheting, and knitting from a young age, we spoke about our craft’s endless possibilities. Suddenly, Mrs. M. changed the subject and asked, “Sonya, what did you say your title was?” to which I replied, “I am the Nursing Director.”

I prepared myself with pen/paper to document the following story: The Home Health Aide (HHA), who provided Mrs. M’s personal care 3 x week, told the patient that she was in a financial bind and needed money. The HHA asked the patient for money, and the patient gave $200 in cash to alleviate her aide’s predicament. The plot thickens. The patient reported that the HHA continued to ask her for money, in amounts from $50-$100 every week. The final complaint from Mrs. M. was that the Home Health Aide would become angry if she failed to give her additional money and would handle her roughly during her personal care.

For the benefit of those who do not know what happened next, this physical abuse and exploitation incident was a reportable offense to the State Agency that prevents Elder Abuse. Since HHAs are not licensed in the state where this occurred, the Home Health Agency was liable to repay the $200 to the patient. Mrs. M was of sound mind and refused to take further legal action. At the meeting between the HHA, the Executive Director, and myself, the HHA reported that Mrs. M. offered her the money, so she accepted it. But the Home Health Aide adamantly denied all of the patient’s other allegations. Yes, the organization’s policy mandated immediate termination; however, please remember that losing a job does not change one’s character.

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9

Although most of us would never demand money from an older person, what other things have we done in the past or present that we are so ashamed of that we would never want another person to know? Do we have the confidence to say, “I would never do ___________under any circumstances?” It takes the right situation to reveal a person’s true character. Facing adversity can leave us stressed-out and overwhelmed. It is then that Satan attempts to take advantage of our weakened faith and presents gift-wrapped, “Get rich quick schemes.”

The question, Who Am I? is an up-close and personal self-evaluation of your character, and your love and commitment to God. Wayward thoughts and sinful solutions easily enter our minds when we do not see the answer. Even so, desperate times do not call for desperate measures when we serve God. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Proverbs 10:9. Living for God means having a mindset of “No Compromise, No Matter What!”

Since humanity shares the same characteristic of having a wicked heart, we must rely on God to solve all of our challenges, and to live by godly standards. Make a covenant vow to God to faithfully trust in Him despite the presenting circumstances. Pray a simple prayer, God, you know my situation, and I desperately need your help. Amen

Who Am I? A child of God who is always honest, sincere, upholds the truth, and possesses integrity. Because I serve and honor God out of the deepest love for Him, I strive to live a holy and acceptable life. Righteousness by Faith!

For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 2 Corinthians 8:21

God, we are living in chaotic times that have left us feeling desperate. We pray that we will never compromise on the side of doing wrong. We desire to serve you with all of our heart, soul, and mind, and to always faithfully trust in you. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Sonya Johnson Ruiz 2020, No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes without the author’s written permission.