THE CONSTANT CALL FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE
MONDAY:
"Listen to my cry, O Lord, for I am in desperate need."
-An ancient song of God's people (Psalm 142:6)
God gave us two ears but only one mouth.
Some people say that's because He wanted
us to spend twice as much time listening as
talking. Others claim it's because He knew
that listening was twice as hard.
-- Unknown
We hear the constant call for compassionate care Responding to this task can wear on us and we, like the songwriter, should cry out to the Holy One and firmly state our need for God to listen to our cry. God knows how to listen and how hard listening really is. In fact, I personally believe that God would much rather we cry than tell Him and one another that we are OK when we really are hurting!
This week let's commit ourselves to a really difficult task - - listening to the child that lives inside each of us. A child comes to us crying, "It hurts!" They may not be able to have anything more definitive than that. Compassionate care calls us to listen to those two simple words, to hear the cry of a hurting soul and then provide the therapeutic touch. Again today we will listen and respond to the constant call for compassionate care. God be with us in our listening and in our responding.
A prayer: God be with our caregivers who are dedicated to the care of the crying child in each of us.
-Ben Keckler 10.08.07
TUESDAY:
"David said to Saul, 'Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight Goliath.'"
-From the old, old story about David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32)
"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try."
-Beverly Sills
Looking around our campus, you will find a hospital that is constantly growing, developing, changing, and becoming. Those with the initial dream of having a community hospital continue to be amazed at what this hospital has become in just over 40 years. I've visited with some of the people who helped in the initial fundraising. They are contented, knowing that the giant task was accomplished and that great and mighty things have and are happening here.
Our track record shows a health care provider that is willing to try. Our efforts have been rewarded along the way. Let us pause and express our gratitude to the Almighty and to those who have gone before us, laying a foundation for success.
May each new adventure in care giving demonstrate that compassionate care brings untold blessings.
A prayer: God be with our caregivers.
-Ben Keckler 10.09.07
WEDNESDAY:
"My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching."
-An old proverb (6:20)
One of the great storytellers in baseball is an old home run hitter from the Washington Senators and the Minnesota Twins, Harmon Killebrew. Harmon says:
"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, 'You're tearing up the grass.' Dad would reply, 'We're not raising grass, we're raising boys.'"
I've noticed that we are tearing up a lot of grass on the north side of the campus these days. While we are tearing up all that turf, we are also doing our best to treat people with the respect and dignity that they deserve when their health is compromised. Good health care work is challenging, much like the challenge of good parenting. May your day be filled acts of mercy.
A prayer: God be with our caregivers.
-Ben Keckler 10.10.07
THURSDAY:
"...And whoever welcomes a little child in my name, welcomes me."
-Words from Jesus, as remembered by Matthew (18:5)
Yes, the constant call for compassionate care can be heard best when we listen to the voices and strain to be attentive to the inner cries of a child. For today's devotion we turn to the lighter side of pediatric care as we have a little chuckle titled, "Truths children have learned." Enjoy!
No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a Tic-Tac.
I
n the next days, weeks, months and years all the caregivers who willingly spend time with our pediatric patients will be able to add to this list. Be listening, children will gladly tell us important truths that they are learning!
A prayer: God be with our caregivers who listen to the inner child within each patient.
-Ben Keckler 10.11.07
FRIDAY:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
--Found throughout the sacred writings, both in Judaic and Christian traditions
This week we have focused on the above theme. To be compassionate caregivers we have to practice caring for ourselves. One helpful little book in my library is Be Good to Yourself Therapy. I like it for a number of reasons: 1) It is short; 2) It has neat illustrations; 3) Each of the 37 directives are on-target; and 4) It helps me with my self-care. Here is an example:
Take the time and space you need –
Even if other people are wanting something from you.
To truly be present and really love/care for others, it is important to take the time and space needed for our personal renewal. Others desire our compassionate care to be certain. The best way for healthy caregiving is to make certain we maintain our personal and spiritual health. Then we can truly love our neighbor fully!
A prayer: God be with our caregivers.
--Ben Keckler 10.12.07
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