"A Gideon Bible and a nurses encouragement"

One Friday I faced a long wait in Ipswich Claydon (cardiac) ward for a fearful surgical procedure and for diagnosis of a potentially life changing heart condition. Being some way down the list for surgery that day, it was also possible this wait would be extended to the following Monday. As a Christian, I found it very comforting to find a Gideon New Testament on my bedside cabinet and as I read it found that I was able to stay remarkably calm through this long wait. My nurse asked me what I was reading as she took my blood pressure and we exchanged favourite Bible readings as she did so. It was a lovely moment and I felt very encouraged.  

The procedure, an angiogram, went very well and the diagnostic outcome as good as it could be. That moment of encouragement from the nurse, obviously a Christian, was itself life changing. I'm so grateful to her for that. She was very careful that I should start the conversation, a sensitive issue, and it was 2 way. She handled it so well. I will comment separately about the excellent surgical team, but wanted to make special mention here of the hospital's willingness to distribute Gideon Bibles and this nurse's words of inspired encouragement. Thank you.