Daily Devotions - Wednesday, June 4

The Practice of Caregiving!

A reading for today: Luke 5: 17-26

“I believe in people who care.
What these empathetic people do requires real courage,
For they do not know how they will be received,
Or if they will be understood.
What they give requires great perseverance,
For healing is a time-consuming process,
And staying with others in their pain
Is an energy-draining experience.”
--James Miller

We continue to focus on Jim Miller’s, “An Affirmation of Those Who Care”. Today we view an interesting passage of Sacred Scripture and, as we do, pay particular attention to the men who were presenting their friend for healing.

Courage is present each time we enter the room, the space of another. Courage because we choose to be available without knowing the exact need. Courage because our presence could feel like an invasion of privacy. Courage because we may need to say the difficult word. Courage because we may need to perform a pain producing task. Courage because…………..… The list of ways caregivers demonstrate courage is a long list.

The gift of perseverance is a gift demonstrated many times in many ways by primary and secondary caregivers and also by all sorts of ancillary people. “We will until” is a possible motto for those whose role is caregiving. The Sacred Scripture story demonstrates that. The men, in effect, are saying: “OK, if they won’t let us in the door, we will carry him onto the roof, we’ll cut a hole in the roof, we’ll tie some rope on the handles and we’ll lower him down through the opening.” They were willing to be drained of their energy because the need of their friend was great.

Blessings to you today as you continue the courageous work of caregiving.

A prayer for today: Holy God, grant me courage and the ability to persevere. Amen.

Ben Keckler
06.04.08

Editor’s note: Mr. Keckler serves as a hospital Director of Chaplaincy in the greater Indianapolis area.