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An Ordinary Day by Annettee Budzban

   "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us." –– Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
      Several years ago I worked as a nurse manager for the satellite offices affiliated with a local hospital. It was a job that I really enjoyed because there was a lot of diversity — filling in for staff, meeting with physicians to help promote programs for their patients, ordering new equipment, and general day-to-day problem solving. I was a "Jack of all trades," as most nurses are.

     However, I was soon to have one extra job on my agenda, which was above and beyond any nurse's imagination. The day started out like any other. When I arrived at the office there was the usual routine of assuring that the doctors' schedules had been posted and that there was sufficient staff to work with each one.

    On this particular day, I was faced with more than exam room issues. I noticed some unusual paraphernalia in our halls that resembled television cameras. As I was walking through this maze of equipment, I was stopped by the Oncology Nurse Manager who said she had an urgent request.

     After settling the patient I was attending to, I went back to see what she wanted. She informed me that the hospital was filming a public service commercial to let everyone know about our outstanding Oncology Program. They decided that filming it would be easier if they shot the commercial at the clinic, rather than at the hospital.

      I said, "Well I guess we will do our best to work around this and still be able to promote patient safety." Besides, we did have an unusually light schedule that day. I believe The Holy Spirit took charge of our scheduling that day.

       Then she told me that the nurse who was originally slated to be part of the production had backed out at the last minute. She asked me if I would be kind enough to STAR as the nurse in the commercial. I was dumbfounded! I performed in our church drama group, but filming a commercial for national television was beyond my acting ability.

       I was quickly assured by the director of this production that my lines would be very few, and that unlike my live drama performances, we could easily do retakes. Duty called! How could I say no?

       I suddenly realized what I had done. How did I look? Had I known I was being
filmed I would have had my hair done or worn my best uniform. I guessed they would just get the real me.

       After the initial shock subsided, I found myself being introduced to a lovely lady who was a cancer survivor — the real star of the show. We were given our lines and introduced to the lights,
cameras, and action.

        It was quite an experience and an honor once the ball got rolling. As the normal work hours started to wind down, a few more members of the staff were recruited for scenes that required hallway activity. It was a long day for just a 60 – second commercial, but during the down time I was able to engage in conversation with this patient and her family. They were a tremendously fun group.

       It wasn't long before the commercial started to appear on television. It was great fun when I ran into a friend, who said while she had been getting ready for work she heard a familiar voice coming from her television. She couldn't believe who she saw when she looked at the screen. Also, when my sister told me that my niece from California phoned her and said she saw a nurse on a commercial that looked and sounded just like her aunt.

       No, I never received fame or fortune, but I did have an experience I will never forget. We are told that God is able to exceed abundantly above and beyond what we can ask or imagine. He sure did for me that day. God is in the business of the extraordinary. You never know what may suddenly happen to you, even though your day starts out like an ordinary day.

Annettee Budzban is an author, freelance writer, and religion columnist. She has the writing ministry Writings From the Heart. She is the Devotions Editor and a contributing writer for the Christian e-zine Eternal Ink.She has been published World-Wide on e-zines and magazines such as Guideposts Angels on Earth. He new devotional book When Heaven Whispers will be released soon. Her e-mail address is [email protected]

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