Tenacity

Yes, that is a can of hairspray.  But there’s a story around a can of hairspray worth sharing.

Somewhere around 2010, we experienced a national shortage of critical anesthesia medications.  The shortage included medications to put the patient to sleep, treat pain and anxiety, promote amnesia, muscle relaxation and even some antibiotics. The shortage continued for months.  It was demoralizing and inexplicable.  These drugs had been around for years, were relatively cheap and void of any national crisis to explain their shortage.

One morning, we gathered in the anesthesia workroom to collect our supplies for the day.  We were critically low on the medication to put the patient to sleep.  We were asked to put the same number of patients to sleep but with half the medication normally required.

You could feel the tension.  I looked at my colleague beside me, a seasoned pro less than 5-years from retirement.  Her chest became flushed.  It slowly crept towards her neck  until her entire face was red.  She looked at me and said…

“One of these days, they are going to give me a can of hairspray and tell me to put someone to sleep.  And I am going to do it!  I am going to figure out a way to do it!”

I burst out laughing at the thought of it. But I never forgot the lesson.  Tenacity.

Some people rehearse the problem.  Others find solutions.

I want to be a problem-solver.

So, the next time you find yourself in a position where you feel ill-prepared or inadequate to meet the demand, God-willing and by His grace, grab your can of hairspray!!

By God’s grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Christians should lead this charge. We should be problem-solvers.  We have the mind of Christ, seeds of His strength, creativity, ingenuity, courage and resolve.  We should have faith that moves mountains. Let us pray for wisdom, discernment and for God to provide answers through Holy Spirit inspired revelation. Let’s solve some problems for God’s glory!