Monica Stadnicki believes the world would be a better place if more people would yield to the power of God. Last year, after a 25-year career in other healthcare facilities, she joined Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital in La Grange, Illinois, as a registrar/financial counselor. But after only a few days on the job, she was uncomfortable doing her job.
“I didn’t like it. It went against my nature to speak to people about money, even if they owed it,” explained Stadnicki. She sought the advice of a friend at her church, Christian Life Fellowship, who encouraged her to “stay with it.”
“I prayed to God to help me do it. He taught me how to be gentle, and to see my talking to patients as a ministry. Now I see God’s healing hand reaching out, and I love my job. It gets better every day as I develop relationships with nurses, co-workers, patients and their families, and we pray for each other.
“Everyone’s job can be a ministry. God has shown me how to do it. I can collect money, but God’s hand is leading. He changed my heart so I could be in this job. Not just to be a financial counselor, but someone who shows people the face of God.”
Stadnicki related to Tim Cook, CEO, how important his Christian leadership was to the work environment she was now a part of. “Christianity is a way of life. It doesn’t stop at church. God can do so much more in a work environment that accepts God’s authority,” she remarked.
“God is the vine and we are the branches. We are here to bear fruit. Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital is a growing place. God wants us to love our enemies, to love each other, and to pray for those who hurt us. Some people’s hearts are hurt and closed off, but we can’t walk by them. God wants to heal their hearts. We are all human. We make mistakes. But we shouldn’t let that shut out God’s love and what He has in store for us,” said Stadnicki.
“My job has become such a good opportunity. When I talk to patients, I’m not forceful. I show compassion. I speak of hope, and often end up praying with them as well as asking for the money. If you do it like the Golden Rule, it all turns out all right. It makes my heart smile as I see God at work.”
During orientation, Stadnicki remembers thinking, “I want to find out why God wants me here.” Her answer came when Cook shared his thoughts with her, “The Lord has so much planned for this place.”
“I knew then that I’m in the right place,” Stadnicki exclaimed. “You live a lot of your life at work. I like it that Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital is a Christian organization. I’m glad to be part of it.”
Lynn Larson, Adventist Midwest Health Lake Union Herald correspondent
