Supportive Presence
A Final Reflection as Pastoral Care Week Ends
Pastoral Care week ends today
but the work of pastoral care never ends.
Allow me to close this week with a formal prayer
focusing on the theme of healing.
God of all creation, you have so fashioned the world that it possesses the potential to repair its imperfections.
And, O Eternal One, you have fashioned humankind by endowing us as your partners, with the creative ability to help in the repairing. You gave us the insight to transform the simple herb into a healing balm for the body.
Help us as your caregivers to realize our responsibility to transform the herb of human compassion into a healing balm for the aching soul.
We, like many, are in need. We know the inner yearning for fulfillment, for purpose, for meaning in our lives. May we come to know that as we help others to feel fulfilled, we will find our own fulfillment.
And then, may we have the strength, the will, the dedication, and the commitment to do that for which we were created: to serve you and bring your reign of peace into our midst. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.30.09
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, October 29
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?
“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
-- A song from an ancient seeker
Thursday: Uncertainty
I’m writing this devotion about one week prior to the playing of the World Series. All I know at this point is that the Philadelphia Phillies will be in the series. Some of the things about which I am uncertain:
• Will the series be with the Yankees or the Angels?
• Will the series carry over into November?
• What town will game 5 be played in?
• Will the series go to five games?
• Will this be a “hitters” series or a “pitchers” series?
• Who is going to be this year’s Mr. October?
There is a lot of uncertainty today. This morning as I journeyed through the hospital I found similar tensions in the lives of patients and in the lives of staff. The uncertainties and the hopes weren’t about a baseball game; these feelings were about life and health. The emotional reactions of baseball fans in two great American cities mirror the emotions we deal with daily. Allow your spirit to do some work on the uncertainties and the hopes that are a part of your life. Try to imagine the necessary things for you to be filled with peace.
By the time you read this, the baseball season will be nearing the end. Hopefully you can sit back and let the commentators take you out to another game of the 2009 World Series.
Have a very good day.
Prayer: Holy God, be with me as I journey through my hopes and fears. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.29.09
World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?
“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
-- A song from an ancient seeker
Thursday: Uncertainty
I’m writing this devotion about one week prior to the playing of the World Series. All I know at this point is that the Philadelphia Phillies will be in the series. Some of the things about which I am uncertain:
• Will the series be with the Yankees or the Angels?
• Will the series carry over into November?
• What town will game 5 be played in?
• Will the series go to five games?
• Will this be a “hitters” series or a “pitchers” series?
• Who is going to be this year’s Mr. October?
There is a lot of uncertainty today. This morning as I journeyed through the hospital I found similar tensions in the lives of patients and in the lives of staff. The uncertainties and the hopes weren’t about a baseball game; these feelings were about life and health. The emotional reactions of baseball fans in two great American cities mirror the emotions we deal with daily. Allow your spirit to do some work on the uncertainties and the hopes that are a part of your life. Try to imagine the necessary things for you to be filled with peace.
By the time you read this, the baseball season will be nearing the end. Hopefully you can sit back and let the commentators take you out to another game of the 2009 World Series.
Have a very good day.
Prayer: Holy God, be with me as I journey through my hopes and fears. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.29.09
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, October 28
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?
“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Wednesday: Baseball in Casa Blanca
Note: I have shared this devotion before and it always seems to be enjoyed.
You may recall a hurricane named Hurricane Mitch. Mitch settled in over Honduras and Nicaragua, totally devastating the mountainside villages like Casa Blanca, Nicaragua. I will always remember my time with the Nicaraguan people. Mitch decimated the village of Casa Blanca. I’d seen poverty, but none like Casa Blanca.
As the 17 Americans sat together assessing our first day, we were keenly aware that we had packed more for our ten-day mission than the entire community of 400 owned. We were really humbled. Two teenagers and their dad were part of the group. As we reflected, Danny’s eyes lit up. He asked for our first aid kit. He took a little ball he had brought from home and started wrapping rubber bands around it. Then he took some gauze and all of a sudden a baseball was starting to emerge. He then took some duct tape. The adults joined in and soon a very fine “baseball” was made.
He showed it to the teenagers. They knew baseball. Soon a couple of tree limbs were being formed into bats. On the final day of our work camp, friendships had grown to the point that it was time for a baseball game. The Nicaraguans of Casa Blanca were playing the North Americans from Indiana. What a fun day.
As you sit back and let the commentators take you out to the World Series ballgame, allow your spirit to do some thinking about ways you can bring healing to our brothers and sisters around the world. Who knows – maybe you’ll have an opportunity to play in a World Series. I truly enjoyed my World Series experience with the folks of Casa Blanca. Have a good day.
Prayer: Holy God, take me to the ballgames I need to play. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.28.09
World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?
“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Wednesday: Baseball in Casa Blanca
Note: I have shared this devotion before and it always seems to be enjoyed.
You may recall a hurricane named Hurricane Mitch. Mitch settled in over Honduras and Nicaragua, totally devastating the mountainside villages like Casa Blanca, Nicaragua. I will always remember my time with the Nicaraguan people. Mitch decimated the village of Casa Blanca. I’d seen poverty, but none like Casa Blanca.
As the 17 Americans sat together assessing our first day, we were keenly aware that we had packed more for our ten-day mission than the entire community of 400 owned. We were really humbled. Two teenagers and their dad were part of the group. As we reflected, Danny’s eyes lit up. He asked for our first aid kit. He took a little ball he had brought from home and started wrapping rubber bands around it. Then he took some gauze and all of a sudden a baseball was starting to emerge. He then took some duct tape. The adults joined in and soon a very fine “baseball” was made.
He showed it to the teenagers. They knew baseball. Soon a couple of tree limbs were being formed into bats. On the final day of our work camp, friendships had grown to the point that it was time for a baseball game. The Nicaraguans of Casa Blanca were playing the North Americans from Indiana. What a fun day.
As you sit back and let the commentators take you out to the World Series ballgame, allow your spirit to do some thinking about ways you can bring healing to our brothers and sisters around the world. Who knows – maybe you’ll have an opportunity to play in a World Series. I truly enjoyed my World Series experience with the folks of Casa Blanca. Have a good day.
Prayer: Holy God, take me to the ballgames I need to play. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.28.09
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, October 27
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?
“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Tuesday: Where is the ballgame?
As I write this devotion (October 23), the American League champion hasn’t been determined. We do not know the schedule for the World Series; it all depends on how the ALCS mystery is solved. By the time you read this devotion that mystery will be solved, but at this very moment, no one knows where.
In some ways the question “where is the ballgame?” can be reframed as we think about “Supportive Presence,” the theme for Pastoral Care Week 2009. Across the country and around the world, many of my colleagues in pastoral care continually ask, “Where is the best place for me to place my supportive presence?” Sometimes that place is directly with the patient, other times it is with the family, other times it is with the staff.
I believe there is healing for everything. Sometimes we need to examine medical questions, sometimes we need to examine psychological questions, sometimes we need to examine spiritual questions, and sometimes we need to have a multi-disciplinary approach to healing. As caregivers learn to be a supportive presence, good decisions can and will be made in the best interests of the patient.
As you sit back and let the commentators take you out to the World Series ballgame (wherever it is), allow your spirit to do some work as you contemplate what it means to be a supportive presence.
Have a very good day.
Prayer: Holy God, take me to the ballgames I need to play. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.27.09
World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?
“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Tuesday: Where is the ballgame?
As I write this devotion (October 23), the American League champion hasn’t been determined. We do not know the schedule for the World Series; it all depends on how the ALCS mystery is solved. By the time you read this devotion that mystery will be solved, but at this very moment, no one knows where.
In some ways the question “where is the ballgame?” can be reframed as we think about “Supportive Presence,” the theme for Pastoral Care Week 2009. Across the country and around the world, many of my colleagues in pastoral care continually ask, “Where is the best place for me to place my supportive presence?” Sometimes that place is directly with the patient, other times it is with the family, other times it is with the staff.
I believe there is healing for everything. Sometimes we need to examine medical questions, sometimes we need to examine psychological questions, sometimes we need to examine spiritual questions, and sometimes we need to have a multi-disciplinary approach to healing. As caregivers learn to be a supportive presence, good decisions can and will be made in the best interests of the patient.
As you sit back and let the commentators take you out to the World Series ballgame (wherever it is), allow your spirit to do some work as you contemplate what it means to be a supportive presence.
Have a very good day.
Prayer: Holy God, take me to the ballgames I need to play. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.27.09
Monday, October 26, 2009
Daily Devotion - Monday, October 26
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
WOW!! World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week at the same time?
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?
Let’s see what the week brings.
“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Monday: The Phillies Are In The Series AGAIN!
I watched with great interest the other night as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their berth in this year's World Series. I have some pretty strong Pennsylvania ties and enjoyed traveling to Philly to watch the “sillies”, as they were called at the time. What has happened to this team who, I believe, has lost more games than any team in baseball history (they have been around a long time)? Let me offer an observation.
In the pennant clinching game the Phillies star pitcher was having a pretty shaky outing. The manager of the team took him out of the game earlier than hoped for. Commentators talked about the weakness of the bullpen pitchers and questioned if Philly could win the game. Yet, the relief pitchers each came in and performed their job almost flawlessly. They provided a superb supportive presence for their pitching ace.
This year the theme of Pastoral Care week is “Supportive Presence.” The world is quite torn, fractured by earthquake, tsunami and hurricane disasters; the world is quite chaotic, divided by conflicting political, economic and religious beliefs and values. People are crying out for a supportive presence to help carry them through and bring them some relief. People are longing for a level playing field where supportive presence can guide them toward a better place. It seems that the first half of today’s song has an answer. I can’t help but wonder if we are willing to let our spirits be humbled to the point that we can be taught.
So, as you sit back and let the commentators take you out to the ballgame, allow your spirit to do some work imagining what supportive presence you can bring to those around you. Go Phillies!
Looking forward to a great week.
Prayer: Holy God, fill me with quietness. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.26.09
WOW!! World Series Week and Pastoral Care Week at the same time?
Is it possible to create devotional reflections out of these two events?
Let’s see what the week brings.
“Teach me your way, O Lord. Lead me on a level path.”
--A song from an ancient seeker
Monday: The Phillies Are In The Series AGAIN!
I watched with great interest the other night as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their berth in this year's World Series. I have some pretty strong Pennsylvania ties and enjoyed traveling to Philly to watch the “sillies”, as they were called at the time. What has happened to this team who, I believe, has lost more games than any team in baseball history (they have been around a long time)? Let me offer an observation.
In the pennant clinching game the Phillies star pitcher was having a pretty shaky outing. The manager of the team took him out of the game earlier than hoped for. Commentators talked about the weakness of the bullpen pitchers and questioned if Philly could win the game. Yet, the relief pitchers each came in and performed their job almost flawlessly. They provided a superb supportive presence for their pitching ace.
This year the theme of Pastoral Care week is “Supportive Presence.” The world is quite torn, fractured by earthquake, tsunami and hurricane disasters; the world is quite chaotic, divided by conflicting political, economic and religious beliefs and values. People are crying out for a supportive presence to help carry them through and bring them some relief. People are longing for a level playing field where supportive presence can guide them toward a better place. It seems that the first half of today’s song has an answer. I can’t help but wonder if we are willing to let our spirits be humbled to the point that we can be taught.
So, as you sit back and let the commentators take you out to the ballgame, allow your spirit to do some work imagining what supportive presence you can bring to those around you. Go Phillies!
Looking forward to a great week.
Prayer: Holy God, fill me with quietness. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
10.26.09
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