Intentional Caring

"I'm so glad to see you again," she gushed. "I've wanted to get back here sooner, to tell you thank you for pursuing that MRI for me." Tears began to well up in her eyes, and I found my own beginning to mist up too. I hadn't seen her in over a year, but I had read over her past notes and realized her absence had been because of having breast cancer. But here she was before me, radiant and perky. Her hair loss was covered with an orange bandanna, and her smile contained good news that with chemo her cancer now was gone. Yes, there would still be surgery to face, but there was hope with the illness found so soon. . .

It's been a hard week for me, sometimes I feel so overwhelmed as I go from door to door. Behind each one is the life story of a person in need. Not everyone can express their needs directly, as often they lie woven in descriptions of surrounding events. I find myself keenly listening and sorting through, attempting to clarify and understand. I strive to be upfront, to let them always know the truth, and yet above all else, I want them to know I care. Sometimes, they are called to walk hard paths, some illnesses are beyond repair. But even then, they need someone to guide, to lean upon, and walk along the side of them. . .

Long ago, in the infant years of Christianity, there was such a one known by the Apostle Paul as "the beloved brother and faithful minister." His name was Tychicus and he is barely mentioned in the Bible except for what Paul wanted him to do. His task was to carry Paul's letter to a particular church and convey everything that was going on with Paul, as well as comforting their hearts. He had to provide the reality, the fact of Paul in prison, but with a compassionate heart that would comfort the people's fears and worries. That is intentional caring, the task of telling people the honest facts, good and bad, but with loving kindness. . .

I found myself responsively reaching out to pat her knee as she sat on the exam table before me. As she spoke, the words "the Lord bless you," automatically fell out of my mouth. I realized anew right then of the privileged position I have been given. Any good that I do for my patients is only because of God's grace and leading. I am humbled when I realize that He has chosen to use my eyes, my ears, and hands to deliver His healing, and to give intentional caring. . .

Comments

Hummingbird Lessons

My eye caught a small round mound stuck upon a branch. Looking closer, I found indeed it was the start of a hummingbird nest. And yes, I now had the mother hummingbird buzzing around my head, reminding me that I was in her space. I have been able to witness at least 3 other hummingbird families come to life, and I was always mesmerized by these "tiny vulnerabilities" becoming resilient birds in only a matter of five to six weeks. The nest was right out my patio door, and I had the best view to watch them daily. I was smiling. I had a hunch that babies would be coming soon, because our hummingbird feeder had been especially sucked dry only a few weeks earlier. One day I found at least 4 hummingbirds at one time feeding, which is highly unusual because most times they come one at a time and don't seem to want to share the space. If they would share, it was two only at a the bar and of course on opposite sides. I was filling that feeder at le...

Last of the Mohicans

Glenny, Jerry, and Bobby were the brothers of my Mother Verna. I'm not sure why she seemed to always attach a "y ending" to their names, but it stuck with her and even them, regardless of their grown up years. She also did it with my brothers, Johnny and Petey. Maybe it was just a term of loving endearment in her big sister and motherly role. No doubt it has happened once again this past week, as she welcomed her baby brother Bobby into his heavenly home. . . Uncle Bob was probably the one brother I knew best from Mom's family. Growing up, it seemed that we didn't always have a chance to spend a lot of time with her side of the family. Grandma had died in her mid 50's of breast cancer, and although I was told that I was named after her, I arrived too late to ever have known her. I only see her in the picture hanging on my wall. Times spent with Grandpa and Uncle Jerry were limited due to lack of accommodations in their home....

Complicated Relationship Living

Today is Mom's birthday. If she were here, we would be celebrating her 109th day of life. I can't believe that it has already been 20 years since she said goodbye to earthly living. I was much too young back then, at the age of 45, to lose my Mom. You always long for at least one more conversation to ask the questions you didn't get a chance to do. You often wished you would have had more talks, especially as you find yourself on a different side of life, other wise known as the senior years. As parents we always desire to keep our family ties together and close, but it doesn't always work out that way. When our parents were still living, and as they grew more elderly, they of course were the bond that brought my brothers and myself together. As adult children, we each had a unique relationship to them, but I am realizing now, that we didn't necessarily have a tie with one another. We were children of the nuclear family, ...

Mary's Heartbeats

Search This Blog