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It was two weeks later that Karen found her calling, or maybe it was more on the fact that it had called to her. She was now a resident at the hospital, trying to drown her sorrow in her work, because despite how hard she tried, she couldn’t help but feel the devastation that Brent had left in her life. She had gone into the doctor’s lounge for a quick cup of Joe when she found it; it was a flyer for the hospital’s outreach program. The flyer was blue and on big bold letters, it said:
Let Us Do God’s Work – Help the Least of Our Brethren
It was a residency program that urged med school graduates to pack up and head out to far-flung areas that had no medical facilities. It basically meant that she will be going off with her medical knowledge, some bandages, and antibiotics and set up a non-profit medical clinic or center out in the middle of nowhere, where people needed it most.
She saw it as a golden opportunity to do God’s work and to find herself. She always knew she wasn’t out for a big practice and be wealthy. She wanted to give back, she wanted her faith to fuel change in others and for her skills to save the lives of those she could. Karen knew then what she had to do.
The Heart of a Little Town...
In a span of two weeks, Karen had managed to sign up for the program, follow up on her application and get her assignment under the program. She was heading to Brickwater County, Louisiana, and set up a clinic there. The hospital was working side by side with the parish in the area and they would take care of her food and lodgings, she just had to show up and bring what supplies she could. The hospital director had been very surprised at her decision.
“I really thought you were going to be senior resident here soon, but this is a worthy cause Miss Johnston, and I hope you find fulfillment in your new job.”
It was a major change in her life that could make her do a 360-degree turn. First, she’d be away from all her friends and family, but she knew she could always come and visit, or they could, and that God would help her find a way. Secondly, she would not know many people there and she wasn’t quite sure how they will receive her, but that was part of the adventure right? Thirdly, she would be getting only a fraction of what she would have earned if she stayed as resident and started a practice, but she knew money would not be an issue for her. She just needed to do this.
She had already said goodbye to her dear friends at the hospital, especially her best friend Lysette, who had been so supportive when she found out about the break up. She was sure that some of her co-workers thought it was a drastic thing to do, move your whole life to some village in one of the poorest states in the country, but she knew that this was what God intended for her. It just felt right for her.
Her parents came over to help her pack a few days ago, and they managed to get most of her things into storage. The only things left were the refrigerator, stove and the bed, and her parents said they would sell those for her, and take care of all the things she had to leave behind. She was so thankful that she had such wonderful and supportive parents. She knew they trusted her and she would not let them down.
They were driving her to the airport now, and Karen was ready for the 4-hour flight.
“Remember to call us when you land. Okay? And take care of yourself.” her dad said, trying to act nonchalantly though she could see he had tears in his eyes. Her dad had always been such a gentleman, he was soft-spoken and kind, and his grey hair made him look so noble, but it touched her greatly now to see her father close to tears.
“We’ll pray for your safe flight dear. Tell us all about the place when you get there okay?” her mother turned to her. Karen could see that she hardly looked her 55 years. She could just be Karen’s older sister. They had the same blonde hair and slender physique and they were both very pretty. I might end up looking older than she looks someday, Karen thought, seeing the dark circles under her eyes through the back seat mirror. She knew her mother was happy and fulfilled, married to a Godly man whom she loved with all her heart and a child she was so proud of, and Karen couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever find someone to share her life with too.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things unseen.” Hebrews 11:1
The words came to her gradually, but she felt elation when she recognized them. Yes, she just needed to have faith in Jesus and in the Lord God and she knew she would find happiness in her life. Maybe she would even find it in Brickwater County, Louisiana.
Christian Romance: Heaven on Earth... [4 Beautiful Christian Romance Stories] Page 6