Daily Devotion - Wednesday, June 3

An Affirmation For Our Work
A lesson you might want to read: 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 courageous men who were presenting their friend for healing.

Courage is present each time we enter the room, the space of another. Courage is present because we choose to be available without knowing the exact need. Courage is present because our presence could feel like an invasion of privacy. Courage is present because we may need to say a difficult word or 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 around a hospital by caregivers and also by all sorts of ancillary associates. “We will until” is a possible motto for those working in caregiving institutions. 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, friends!

--Ben Keckler
06.03.09