I am not one for heights, yet a couple of years ago, my daughter persuaded me to join her on a terrifying rollercoaster ride named the Rip Ride Rockit (at Universal Studios). This rollercoaster travelled at 65 mph speeds, 90-degree angles, and the only thing that kept me going was having Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive' blasted through my headphones - but still not quite drowning out my shrieks!

I overheard some nurses recently talk about their job as a rollercoaster ride, full of ups and downs. Being with patients at the most vulnerable and significant times of their lives as a nurse or a midwife is a precious, unique, and rich thing. It can bring such joy and job satisfaction.

Yet the struggle of 'too much to do in too little time', of compassion fatigue, disappointments or deaths, while repeatedly returning home exhausted, can be real lows.

In this edition of Spotlight, various nurses and midwives have written short articles reflecting on some of these ups and downs, patients they rejoiced over, and patients they wept over.

Although we may have peaks and troughs, joys and discouragements in our roles, thank God that his love is constant, and his grace and help are steadfast. On the days when our hearts are troubled, he promises to 'quiet [us] with his love' (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV); at times of grief, he promises to 'heal the brokenhearted' (Psalm 147:3); and at times of life and healing, he rejoices with us (Zephaniah 3:17).

Didn't you realise that God likes a rollercoaster?!

Pippa

Pippa Peppiatt, CMF Head of Nurses & Midwives

Pippa trained as a nurse. She has planted a church for students with her husband, set up a charity for street kids in Uganda, and has been a Friends International Student Worker.