Daily Devotion - Monday, June 1

An Affirmation For Our Work
You might want to read: Romans 5: 1-5

“I believe in people who care.
Even more, I believe in what these generous people offer others.
They bring caregiving down to its essentials:
They offer not abstract ideas, but personal attention;
Not definitive answers, but reasonable assurance;
not empty platitudes, but authentic hope.”
--James Miller

I am back from 10 days of vacation. What a wonderful time visiting family and friends. It’s now time to get back in the groove of work. This week (Monday-Thursday) our devotions will focus on a piece, “An Affirmation of Those Who Care” by Jim Miller, a friend who has devoted much of his ministry to writing and high quality audio-visual products for caregivers. I like this affirmation.

Caregiving is all about offering hope—hope springing forth from loving hearts. Recently, while visiting with a patient these statements were shared with me: “I wouldn’t go anyplace but here. In the entire time I’ve been (in this hospital) I haven’t experienced one bad shift. Hear me now, not one bad shift.”

The patient went on to share a number of hope-filled statements, attributing the healing process primarily to personal faith and to the care received. As we begin another week of caregiving, may we be empowered as authentic caregivers.

--Ben Keckler
06.01.09