phoebe.

"I commend to you our sister, Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well." Romans 16:1-2. 
Phoebe. I'd never heard of her until my third semester of nursing school when I knew I wasn't going to be a "traditional" hospital nurse. I'd never heard of her, but here she was, praised by Paul, listed not only as a helper to many, but also a servant. The Greek word used in this passage for helper is the word "prostatis", which means, "a woman set over others" or "caring for the affairs of others and aiding them with her resources." 
This Phoebe?? She had influence. She had respect. She was able to use her resources to care for others, and viewed as a leader. She had a servant's heart. 
My study Bible makes this comment regarding Phoebe: "Even wealth, position, and influence do not relieve a woman of the responsibility of humble service." 
Humble service. I read this passage two years ago, and I began to ask myself a few questions. 
As a nurse, how can I use my resources to best serve my community? As a daughter, how can I use what God has given me to best care for my family? As a co-worker, how can I use my talents to lift up those around me and offer words of encouragement? As a writer, how can I use my words to bring glory to God? 
I would rather live life as a humble servant than life with a heart made heavy with selfishness. I would rather find myself in a position of prostatis than position myself above others. It is in those Phoebe moments, when He uses me anonymously, selflessly, and humbly that I find myself filled with the most joy. 
In light of this, it is with deep joy and humble gratitude that I step into my dream job. 
I will be a public health nurse on the Nurse-Family Partnership Team. 
A job description that reads as follows: "part nurse, part social-worker, part mental health counselor, part mom, and part best friend." 
This feels like a Phoebe moment. 
and may there be many more Phoebe moments to come as I come alongside beautiful women and beautiful children and tell them what has been true since the day they were born: they are capable, they are worthy, and they are loved. 
Alyssa, RN, PHN. Couldn't be more excited if I tried.