Daily Devotion - Monday, June 7

Those Who Care

“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

This week (Monday-Thursday) our devotions will focus on a piece, “An Affirmation of Those Who Care,” by Jim Miller, a personal friend who has devoted much of his ministry to writing and producing grief literature and videos. Over the course of Jim’s life, he has come in touch with thousands of caregivers. His words offer meaningful insights about the work of giving care to persons dealing with the struggles of life.

Caregiving is all about offering hope—hope springing forth from a loving heart. Once while visiting with a patient who was a full time professional caregiver in another institution, these statements were shared with me: “I wouldn’t go anyplace but here (the hospital where I work). In the entire time I’ve been here I haven’t experienced one bad shift. Hear me now, not one bad shift. I know I can’t say that about the place where I work.” Moving that story to a personal level, a good measuring stick for life could be this: “Am I offering those around me an authentic hope, 24/7/365?”

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 filled with opportunities for care giving, may we be empowered to offer authentic hope.

--Ben Keckler
06.07.10