Another Musing about Water/Waterfalls
“O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
--A song of praise, Psalm 8
Last year I was privileged to see a part of the world I’d never visited. We vacationed in the Canadian Rockies. We spent time in Glacier National Park in Montana, as well. The trip included visits to Calgary, Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. We were also privileged to spend time on the Columbia Icefields. The list of experiences was and still is rather phenomenal.
Majestic doesn’t seem a powerful enough description for the awe I felt as we spent time at Athabasca Falls! The passage for the falls is quite narrow, especially compared with the wide river behind it filled with the melted snows from the mountains. The scene was filled with energy as rushing water made its way through the passage to a wide river bottom below. It is as though I can still hear and feel the power of the moment months later. I concur with the ancient song of praise, “O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Today I am into the daily routine of caregiving still recalling a memorable vacation from before and a long, relaxing weekend just ended. I am trusting that we can bathe patients in a waterfall of healing graces that brings them to a better place. Compassionate caregiving gives patients and families the opportunity to experience the majesty and power of God.
A prayer: Holy One, may our simple acts of caregiving bring the restoring, healing touch that patients and their families need. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
09.07.10
Showing posts with label caregiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caregiving. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, June 10
Those Who Care, Day 4
“I believe in people who care.
If these souls did not perform their roles in the way they do,
Then in a very real sense the Word would not be made flesh.
The Love would not be made visible
And the Hope would not be made genuine.
Yet because such committed caregivers are among us,
We know the world is not just a better place
But ours is a better time and we are a better people.
We know that because those who truly care show us,
Day after day after day.”
--James Miller
Today’s devotional thought focuses on the concluding words from Jim Miller’s “Affirmation of Those Who Care”. Jim is a Christian minister and so he talks about the Word being made flesh. That is comfortable language, understandable language for Christians. To broaden the statement to a wider theological perspective, his statement could be paraphrased,
“If caregivers did not perform their roles in the way they do,
then in a very real sense G-d would not touch the lives of humanity.”
The statement may seem a bit bold and it may cause a bit of controversy, but it is a statement worthy of some sincere reflection. The compassion that is demonstrated by caregivers is important. Our compassionate word, thought and deed are the very things that make for better times in the lives of patients, families and guests.
Have an even better day in caregiving!
--Ben Keckler
06.10.10
“I believe in people who care.
If these souls did not perform their roles in the way they do,
Then in a very real sense the Word would not be made flesh.
The Love would not be made visible
And the Hope would not be made genuine.
Yet because such committed caregivers are among us,
We know the world is not just a better place
But ours is a better time and we are a better people.
We know that because those who truly care show us,
Day after day after day.”
--James Miller
Today’s devotional thought focuses on the concluding words from Jim Miller’s “Affirmation of Those Who Care”. Jim is a Christian minister and so he talks about the Word being made flesh. That is comfortable language, understandable language for Christians. To broaden the statement to a wider theological perspective, his statement could be paraphrased,
“If caregivers did not perform their roles in the way they do,
then in a very real sense G-d would not touch the lives of humanity.”
The statement may seem a bit bold and it may cause a bit of controversy, but it is a statement worthy of some sincere reflection. The compassion that is demonstrated by caregivers is important. Our compassionate word, thought and deed are the very things that make for better times in the lives of patients, families and guests.
Have an even better day in caregiving!
--Ben Keckler
06.10.10
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, June 8
Those Who Care, Day 2
“I believe in people who care.
I believe the work they do
Is both deceptively simple and unusually difficult.
Their task is to offer those who so need it something irreplaceable:
Their own humanness.
They bestow a priceless gift:
Themselves, and the best of themselves.
They approach the other holding out what they have to offer:
Their sensitivity, their belief, their dedication.
They bring into the open what they choose not to hide:
Their woundedness, their honesty, their compassion.”
--James Miller
Today we look at a little more at Jim Miller’s “An Affirmation of Those Who Care.”
Taking time to reflect on Jim’s affirmation can be helpful in a couple of ways. First, it may help us gain a renewed vision for our work. The demands of daily routine have the potential to drain both our regular and our reserve fuel tank. Second, it may help us get in touch with our inner core. We, who enter the caregiving work and stay in it, do so because something deep within is pushing us to offer our humanness and our compassion to another hurting soul.
Today is another day filled with the opportunity to care. Have a blessed day!
--Ben Keckler
06.08.10
“I believe in people who care.
I believe the work they do
Is both deceptively simple and unusually difficult.
Their task is to offer those who so need it something irreplaceable:
Their own humanness.
They bestow a priceless gift:
Themselves, and the best of themselves.
They approach the other holding out what they have to offer:
Their sensitivity, their belief, their dedication.
They bring into the open what they choose not to hide:
Their woundedness, their honesty, their compassion.”
--James Miller
Today we look at a little more at Jim Miller’s “An Affirmation of Those Who Care.”
Taking time to reflect on Jim’s affirmation can be helpful in a couple of ways. First, it may help us gain a renewed vision for our work. The demands of daily routine have the potential to drain both our regular and our reserve fuel tank. Second, it may help us get in touch with our inner core. We, who enter the caregiving work and stay in it, do so because something deep within is pushing us to offer our humanness and our compassion to another hurting soul.
Today is another day filled with the opportunity to care. Have a blessed day!
--Ben Keckler
06.08.10
Monday, June 7, 2010
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
“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
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, June 4
An Affirmation For Our Work
A verse you might want to remember: 1 Corinthians 13: 13
“I believe in people who care.
If these souls did not perform their roles in the way they do,
Then in a very real sense the Word would not be made flesh.
The Love would not be made visible
And the Hope would not be made genuine.
Yet because such committed caregivers are among us,
We know the world is not just a better place
But ours is a better time and we are a better people.
We know that because those who truly care show us,
Day after day after day.”
--James Miller
Today’s devotional thought focuses on the concluding words from Jim Miller’s “Affirmation of Those Who Care.” Jim is a Christian minister and so he talks about the Word being made flesh. That is comfortable language, understandable language for Christians. To broaden the statement to a wider theological perspective, his statement could be paraphrased,
“If caregivers did not perform their roles in the way they do,
then in a very real sense God would not touch the lives of humanity.”
The statement may seem a bit bold and it may cause a bit of doctrinal controversy, but it is a statement worthy of some sincere reflection. In our caregiving and in everything else we do, our compassionate words, thoughts and deeds are the very things that make for better times in the lives of others.
Blessings!
--Ben Keckler
06.04.09
A verse you might want to remember: 1 Corinthians 13: 13
“I believe in people who care.
If these souls did not perform their roles in the way they do,
Then in a very real sense the Word would not be made flesh.
The Love would not be made visible
And the Hope would not be made genuine.
Yet because such committed caregivers are among us,
We know the world is not just a better place
But ours is a better time and we are a better people.
We know that because those who truly care show us,
Day after day after day.”
--James Miller
Today’s devotional thought focuses on the concluding words from Jim Miller’s “Affirmation of Those Who Care.” Jim is a Christian minister and so he talks about the Word being made flesh. That is comfortable language, understandable language for Christians. To broaden the statement to a wider theological perspective, his statement could be paraphrased,
“If caregivers did not perform their roles in the way they do,
then in a very real sense God would not touch the lives of humanity.”
The statement may seem a bit bold and it may cause a bit of doctrinal controversy, but it is a statement worthy of some sincere reflection. In our caregiving and in everything else we do, our compassionate words, thoughts and deeds are the very things that make for better times in the lives of others.
Blessings!
--Ben Keckler
06.04.09
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, June 2
An Affirmation For Our Work
You might want to read: Luke 7: 36-50
“I believe in people who care.
I believe the work they do
Is both deceptively simple and unusually difficult.
Their task is to offer those who so need it something irreplaceable:
Their own humanness.
They bestow a priceless gift:
Themselves, and the best of themselves.
They approach the other holding out what they have to offer:
Their sensitivity, their belief, their dedication.
They bring into the open what they choose not to hide:
Their woundedness, their honesty, their compassion.”
--James Miller
Today we look at a little more of Jim Miller’s “An Affirmation of Those Who Care.” It is coupled with an illustrative reading from Sacred Scripture, particularly when viewing the woman in the story as the primary caregiver.
Taking time to reflect on both the story and Jim’s affirmation can be helpful in a couple of ways. First, they can help us gain a renewed vision for our caregiving work. The demands of daily routine have the potential to drain both our regular and our reserve fuel tank. Second, they can help us get in touch with our inner core. Those of us who enter into caregiving work and stay in it, do so because something deep within is pushing us to offer our humanness and our compassion to another hurting soul.
Today is another day filled with the opportunity to care. Have a blessed day!
--Ben Keckler
06.02.09
You might want to read: Luke 7: 36-50
“I believe in people who care.
I believe the work they do
Is both deceptively simple and unusually difficult.
Their task is to offer those who so need it something irreplaceable:
Their own humanness.
They bestow a priceless gift:
Themselves, and the best of themselves.
They approach the other holding out what they have to offer:
Their sensitivity, their belief, their dedication.
They bring into the open what they choose not to hide:
Their woundedness, their honesty, their compassion.”
--James Miller
Today we look at a little more of Jim Miller’s “An Affirmation of Those Who Care.” It is coupled with an illustrative reading from Sacred Scripture, particularly when viewing the woman in the story as the primary caregiver.
Taking time to reflect on both the story and Jim’s affirmation can be helpful in a couple of ways. First, they can help us gain a renewed vision for our caregiving work. The demands of daily routine have the potential to drain both our regular and our reserve fuel tank. Second, they can help us get in touch with our inner core. Those of us who enter into caregiving work and stay in it, do so because something deep within is pushing us to offer our humanness and our compassion to another hurting soul.
Today is another day filled with the opportunity to care. Have a blessed day!
--Ben Keckler
06.02.09
Monday, June 1, 2009
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
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
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, June 5
The Practice of Caregiving!
A reading for today: 1 Corinthians 13: 13
“I believe in people who care.
If these souls did not perform their roles in the way they do,
Then in a very real sense the Word would not be made flesh.
The Love would not be made visible
And the Hope would not be made genuine.
Yet because such committed caregivers are among us,
We know the world is not just a better place
But ours is a better time and we are a better people.
We know that because those who truly care show us,
Day after day after day.”
--James Miller
Today’s devotional thought focuses on the concluding words from Jim Miller’s “Affirmation of Those Who Care”. Jim is a Christian minister and so he talks about the Word being made flesh. That is comfortable language, understandable language for Christians. To broaden the statement to a wider theological perspective, his statement could be paraphrased,
“If caregivers did not perform their roles in the way they do,
then in a very real sense God would not touch the lives of humanity.”
The statement may seem a bit bold and it may cause a bit of doctrinal controversy, but it is a statement worthy of some sincere reflection. The compassion that you demonstrate is important. Compassionate words, thoughts and deeds are the very things that make for better times in the lives of patients, families and all humanity.
Have an even better day in caregiving!
A prayer for today: God of this day, grace me with sensitivity as I perform my duties.
Ben Keckler
06.05.08
Editor’s note: Mr. Keckler serves as a hospital Director of Chaplaincy in the greater Indianapolis area.
A reading for today: 1 Corinthians 13: 13
“I believe in people who care.
If these souls did not perform their roles in the way they do,
Then in a very real sense the Word would not be made flesh.
The Love would not be made visible
And the Hope would not be made genuine.
Yet because such committed caregivers are among us,
We know the world is not just a better place
But ours is a better time and we are a better people.
We know that because those who truly care show us,
Day after day after day.”
--James Miller
Today’s devotional thought focuses on the concluding words from Jim Miller’s “Affirmation of Those Who Care”. Jim is a Christian minister and so he talks about the Word being made flesh. That is comfortable language, understandable language for Christians. To broaden the statement to a wider theological perspective, his statement could be paraphrased,
“If caregivers did not perform their roles in the way they do,
then in a very real sense God would not touch the lives of humanity.”
The statement may seem a bit bold and it may cause a bit of doctrinal controversy, but it is a statement worthy of some sincere reflection. The compassion that you demonstrate is important. Compassionate words, thoughts and deeds are the very things that make for better times in the lives of patients, families and all humanity.
Have an even better day in caregiving!
A prayer for today: God of this day, grace me with sensitivity as I perform my duties.
Ben Keckler
06.05.08
Editor’s note: Mr. Keckler serves as a hospital Director of Chaplaincy in the greater Indianapolis area.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, June 3
The Practice of Caregiving!
A reading for today: Luke 7: 36-50
“I believe in people who care.
I believe the work they do
Is both deceptively simple and unusually difficult.
Their task is to offer those who so need it something irreplaceable:
Their own humanness.
They bestow a priceless gift:
Themselves, and the best of themselves.
They approach the other holding out what they have to offer:
Their sensitivity, their belief, their dedication.
They bring into the open what they choose not to hide:
Their woundedness, their honesty, their compassion.”
--James Miller
Today we look at a little more of Jim Miller’s “An Affirmation of Those Who Care”. It is coupled with an illustrative reading from Sacred Scripture, particularly when viewing the woman in the story as the primary caregiver.
Taking time to reflect on both the story and Jim’s affirmation can be helpful in a couple of ways. First, they can help us gain a renewed vision for our work. The demands of daily routine have the potential to drain both our regular and our reserve fuel tank. Second, they can help us get in touch with our inner core. We, who enter this caregiving work and stay in it, do so because something deep within is pushing us to offer our humanness and our compassion to another hurting soul.
Today is another day filled with the opportunity to care. Have a blessed day!
A prayer for today: God of life, bless my caregiving with sensitivity and compassion.
Ben Keckler
06.03.08
Editor’s note: Mr. Keckler serves as a hospital Director of Chaplaincy in the greater Indianapolis area.
A reading for today: Luke 7: 36-50
“I believe in people who care.
I believe the work they do
Is both deceptively simple and unusually difficult.
Their task is to offer those who so need it something irreplaceable:
Their own humanness.
They bestow a priceless gift:
Themselves, and the best of themselves.
They approach the other holding out what they have to offer:
Their sensitivity, their belief, their dedication.
They bring into the open what they choose not to hide:
Their woundedness, their honesty, their compassion.”
--James Miller
Today we look at a little more of Jim Miller’s “An Affirmation of Those Who Care”. It is coupled with an illustrative reading from Sacred Scripture, particularly when viewing the woman in the story as the primary caregiver.
Taking time to reflect on both the story and Jim’s affirmation can be helpful in a couple of ways. First, they can help us gain a renewed vision for our work. The demands of daily routine have the potential to drain both our regular and our reserve fuel tank. Second, they can help us get in touch with our inner core. We, who enter this caregiving work and stay in it, do so because something deep within is pushing us to offer our humanness and our compassion to another hurting soul.
Today is another day filled with the opportunity to care. Have a blessed day!
A prayer for today: God of life, bless my caregiving with sensitivity and compassion.
Ben Keckler
06.03.08
Editor’s note: Mr. Keckler serves as a hospital Director of Chaplaincy in the greater Indianapolis area.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Daily Devotions - Monday, June 2
The Practice of Caregiving!
“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 materials for bereavement. 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 caregiving.
Caregiving is all about offering hope—hope springing forth from loving hearts. Recently, while visiting with a patient who happens to be a caregiver in another institution, these words were shared with me: “In the entire time I’ve been here 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.
A prayer: God, working in and through me, continually grace my life and help me share authentic hope with others. Amen.
Ben Keckler
06.02.08
Editor’s note: Mr. Keckler serves as a hospital Director of Chaplaincy in the greater Indianapolis area.
“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 materials for bereavement. 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 caregiving.
Caregiving is all about offering hope—hope springing forth from loving hearts. Recently, while visiting with a patient who happens to be a caregiver in another institution, these words were shared with me: “In the entire time I’ve been here 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.
A prayer: God, working in and through me, continually grace my life and help me share authentic hope with others. Amen.
Ben Keckler
06.02.08
Editor’s note: Mr. Keckler serves as a hospital Director of Chaplaincy in the greater Indianapolis area.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Daily Devotions - Monday, April 14
Garden Spots
“The Lord God took the man
and put him in the Garden of Eden
to work it and take care of it. ”
--from the Creation stories of Genesis
The weekend was filled with natural beauty and natural challenges. Plant life is starting to peek out and see if the feeling of springtime is genuine; those with allergies used up more Kleenex than they wanted to! It is good to get out in the yard and experience the rejuvenation of Mother Earth. How wonderful it is to have our little “Gardens of Eden” to work them and care for them!
I trust you are finding meaningful ways to enjoy springtime!
It’s Monday and now the rhythm of life moves to the work week where we will be challenged in our work of caregiving. The workplace is another garden spot, a place where we have opportunities to commit ourselves day after day to bring people and our surroundings to a better place. May the Creator who empowers us bless your caregiving.
A prayer: Thanks to you, O God, for the opportunity to work and care for your garden.
Ben Keckler
04.14.08
“The Lord God took the man
and put him in the Garden of Eden
to work it and take care of it. ”
--from the Creation stories of Genesis
The weekend was filled with natural beauty and natural challenges. Plant life is starting to peek out and see if the feeling of springtime is genuine; those with allergies used up more Kleenex than they wanted to! It is good to get out in the yard and experience the rejuvenation of Mother Earth. How wonderful it is to have our little “Gardens of Eden” to work them and care for them!
I trust you are finding meaningful ways to enjoy springtime!
It’s Monday and now the rhythm of life moves to the work week where we will be challenged in our work of caregiving. The workplace is another garden spot, a place where we have opportunities to commit ourselves day after day to bring people and our surroundings to a better place. May the Creator who empowers us bless your caregiving.
A prayer: Thanks to you, O God, for the opportunity to work and care for your garden.
Ben Keckler
04.14.08
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