August 2025 On The Side: Team Effort
Photo by Curated Lifestyle via UnSplash
by Dawn Mast
“For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
Ecclesiastes 4:10 (ESV)
When I mention that my husband is a doctor I hear a variety of responses. Often, someone will make a connection and mention that Mark was their doctor and how he cared for them with deep compassion and medical expertise. Or some people comment that “it must be nice” to be married to a doctor and have lots of money and free medical care. Some people jokingly ask if he can look at their rash.
If you are married to a physician, you may have heard similar responses when it comes to your husband’s occupation. Those of us who have walked through undergrad, MCATs, applying to and getting into medical school, medical studies, rotations, MATCH day, moving, residency and, finally, being employed know that medical training does not happen overnight. Or even over a year. We know it’s a long, arduous process and requires a strong commitment to the Lord, each other, and medical studies.
And let’s face it…it can be a lonely existence if you aren’t surrounded by a group of believers who understand this phase of life. It’s so critical to find a group to hold up your arms, pray, encourage and support one another.
Years ago, when my husband was still working for a hospital corporation his days were filled with patient after patient, paperwork, and end of the day follow up calls. My doctor husband is the type who likes to be thorough and listen to each patient. Some days it was a marathon to keep up, think fast and churn out paperwork. He finds that environment so stressful and feels the weight of caring for his patients fall heavy on him.
One evening he came home, and I could tell he’d had an especially long day. We had dinner, he played with the kids, helped put them to bed then headed to sleep. After brushing our teeth and saying our prayers there was a sad silence. In the dark I heard him sigh and whisper, “What if I missed something today?”
And there it was…the sentence that started the beginning of the end of working for a corporation and finding work in another city that brought him deep joy and way less stress. But what if I hadn’t been there to hear him? To really listen. To pick him up when he was feeling down.
It’s true you have your own worries and stresses. Job, kids, house, carpooling, school field trips, extended family drama, food purchasing, prep and clean up…All of this, and more, weighs heavy on you and that shouldn’t be ignored. It’s just that when the other half of your team is feeling burdened by work and the pressure of patient care it so important to take some time to lift up, listen and encourage. There’s a sweet connection that happens when we “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Take a little time today to pray over and for your doctor husband. The Lord sees him, his patients and has ordered the steps of his day to be used for healing. As you pray for him may the Lord be especially close to you, lift your spirit and bring you encouragement. What a gift to be able to be the one who helps your beloved when he falls and to walk this road with him so he’s not alone.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
You have given me a sweet gift in my husband. He is a good man who works diligently for our family and sometimes he bears the burden of caring for others and it weighs him down. Please help me to be truly a suitable helper for him. I ask that You speak tenderly over his heart and give him wisdom as he sees patients today. Please help him to reflect You to those he encounters and remind him that he is dearly loved by You and his family. Thank you for him!
Amen!
Dawn Mast lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her doctor hubby of 30+ years and her dogs. Her four grown children are all in or pursuing medicine and she delights in her title of “Granna”. She believes Proverbs 17:22 that states that “laughter is good medicine,” so much so she has even done stand-up comedy! Dawn also loves encouraging women that our Lord has always been and always will be faithful both in writing and at speaking at events. She has recently published a wonderful devotional, “Soul Care for the Medical Marriage” and hope it blesses and encourages you in your medical marriage.
