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From Luke’s Journal March 2026  |  Vol. 31  No. 1  |  God at the Bedside

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

As I write this note, I am reflecting on this verse, recalling when in early 2005, I needed a change from shiftwork to a nursing role that allowed me to work standard daytime hours.

Wonderfully, God provided a new context for my work, allowing me to carry forward the knowledge and experience I had gained as a paediatric nurse into my role as a nurse immuniser, caring for infants, children, and their families in community-based settings. The role also involved caring for the adolescent cohort in school-based settings.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” – Ephesians 2:10 NIV

Previously, while working in hospital paediatrics, I experienced amazing God-given opportunities to care for and build long-term professional relationships with children and their families. Sometimes it was for extended periods, sometimes just a single stay in hospital and in some cases, during repeated admissions. However, due to the nature of my new role in Community Immunisation Services, I only occasionally saw the same child, or children from the same family, more than once. Generally, over the course of childhood vaccinations, encounters are brief.

“…There have been many God-given moments of responding to His prompting and provision to go the extra mile…”

Fortunately, even in the context of these short encounters, there have been many God-given moments of responding to His prompting and provision to go the extra mile in providing compassionate and empathetic care.

One of many scenarios that comes to mind is of an encounter I had with parents presenting with their first child for his routine six-week vaccinations. I introduced myself and ascertained the relevant background information on the baby from the parents. While going through the pre-immunisation check, I observed that the mother became quite teary and anxious. As it was a quiet session, I decided to provide the parents with some extra support and reassurance. I was able to respond thoughtfully to their questions and concerns about the vaccinations and any possible reactions. Additionally, I explained why they should wait in the clinic for fifteen minutes after the vaccinations. I reassured them that if they were happy with their baby after that time they could leave, but also that they were welcome to stay longer.

“Both parents kindly expressed their gratitude for the care they had received and were very positive about their experience…”

I was so pleased to sit with the family for a few minutes during the waiting period, offering a supportive presence that appeared to help the mother relax. Both parents kindly expressed their gratitude for the care they had received and were very positive about their experience at a council immunisation session.

What a God-given joy and privilege it was, in that moment, to provide the extra supportive care this family needed!

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