All Equal in God’s Eyes

Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

We are all equal in God’s eyes. He loves us all. Irrespective of our background, our race, our gender, our demographics, etc. He loves us all, period the end.

Equality is a big issue for me. Most especially in terms of patients and residents in a nursing home. So, just prior to my retirement, you could imagine my reaction when a newly hired CEO, and CFO came trouncing into my office with an agenda. An agenda that included trying to get more “private paying residents into the facility, and less “State Aid” individuals.

I could still hear their callous words, “You have to understand this is a business, and as such you need to get busy with your staff explaining they need to try and find more private paying individuals here. Also, start moving those who no longer have private funds out of this place and elsewhere.”

“WHAT?”  That infuriated me and I was beyond livid at the grandiose overblown cavalier attitude of these two individuals!  I explained that we couldn’t just discharge patients, and that there was a process that had to be adhered to. Namely, a 30-day notice, and there had to be validity to support the notice. Not just because they “needed private paying” individuals.  Yes, there is a ratio and formula in which they could take in more private pay if the ratio of state aid was higher that private paying ones. But these are human beings, not numbers!  These are grandmothers, grandfathers, widows, widowers, loved ones, and friends.   And for me, they are ALL EQUAL, but most importantly, all equal in God’s eyes!

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

As a strong advocate for these elderly gems, I circumvented a way to avoid what they were asking me to do. I prayed to the LORD for how I might get around the “rules” of the CEO and CFO.  I wanted God’s “rules” and “commandments” to lead me to a decision, for the best possible outcome for all parties concerned.

One of the “targeted” patients was a widow, residing in an oversized private room. She had recently lost her husband, and it was the room they shared together.  Wheelchair bound, she mainly occupied herself on the computer. She read, wrote poems, and was in the process of putting together a memoir of her life with her husband.  She was oxygen dependent and needed space to maneuver freely in her bulky wheelchair. Plus, the room was on the ground level, which God forbid, if an emergency and the elevator was out, she wouldn’t have been able to get downstairs on her own. Another important factor was her beloved Ginger. Her beautiful cat that her husband bought for her birthday 14 years prior. If she moved upstairs, she couldn’t take the cat with her, (another rule I couldn’t fathom) and that would surely break her heart.

After much prayer and meditation, the LORD led me and gave me the wisdom for a solution! I could get her a medical exemption based on her situation. I could prove that not only would it be detrimental for her well-being but would compromise her safety if she were to be moved. She needed to be on the ground level near an exit. And to be parted from her cat would be beyond devastating for her psyche.

Psalms 7:9  Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

So, I contacted the State and told them about this widow, gave the reasons. Then put together a summary about the dire consequences this lady would face if she were to be moved. And within two days, praise God, she was able to stay put in her room. The state concurred and agreed to the exemption with an immediate stamp of approval, signed, sealed and delivered!

The CFO and CEO weren’t thrilled about it, especially when I prevented three other patients from being moved as well. The compassionate and extremely kind owner of the Nursing facility came in to see me. I thought I was going to be fired for being arbitrary and not complying with “an order from the upper echelon.” However, she shook my hand and congratulated me on my expeditious decision concerning the widow.  She went on to inform me that she received accolades about the kindness of the facility, and as a result, countless people suddenly wanted to admit their loved ones to a place where they put patients first above money.  The majority of the patients on the waiting list were all private paying individuals. For me, their source of payment was not an issue, all equal in my eyes, and in God’s.  And thankfully the CFO and the COO were both satisfied because it met with their approval “money wise.”

Are you able to accept others no matter their circumstances? Have you ever been in this kind of situation where you had to face a “somewhat underhanded and difficult” agenda? And if you ever have to face something that isn’t right, what would you do about it?

I think the best we can do is ask the question that so many Christians have asked throughout the world, “What would Jesus do?”  And from there, the answer should become crystal clear!

Dear LORD, thank You for Your guidance and hands of mercy and love, for showing and paving the way to promote the well-being of those vulnerable and unsuspecting, in Jesus’ name, Amen.