Journal of Sacred Work

You Have Healing Hands: April 27-28 2024

“Give your hands to service and your heart to love.” Mother Teresa

In an age where artificial intelligence is increasingly integrating into the realm of healthcare by taking on responsibilities of caregivers, Erie’s poignant reflection points out that “the value of human hands and hearts is threatened.” The following reflection is an excerpt from a conversation I had with Mirella, a dedicated nurse who is imbued with a gift of healing. Her story highlights the beautiful gift of love and compassion that is beyond any substitution of AI.

“I come from a family of seven siblings, growing up we frequently visited my grandmother in Mexico. I recall how she would receive me in such a loving way. I would run into her arms and hug her. She would always clasp my hands, kiss them, and bless them by saying, ‘may these hands touch the lives of others, may these hands bless the lives of others, may these hands heal what is touched.’ As a young girl, my inner self believed that this was true. My grandmother inspired me to believe in the power of words spoken over and now I can see how it has truly influenced my life. For 20 plus years, I see that when someone speaks over with encouragement those words just have so much power, as much as the power of touch.”

"My home care visits embody and embraces the person where they're at in their moment of need.  It's easy to get caught up in rushing, taking vitals, doing a task, and not really getting to know the person. It is foundational for my patients to trust me, allowing me into their home, their lives, and sharing what concerns them. When they see the transparency, love and sincerity of me as a nurse that opens the doors to so many things that sometimes I'm amazed about these day-to-day encounters of just giving hope and encouragement to those that we visit, they're beautiful moments.  I get encouraged, they get encouraged and I'm fulfilled by immersing myself in the moment, observing and serving."

"As a home health nurse, I don't need to say anything about my faith. I can’t explain what happens but it’s in the non-verbal cues. When I get that tug in my heart, I believe somewhere down deep in the patient’s heart or in their memory, and as I sense their need and I’ll ask if they would like me to pray. Just offering the love of God they become truly embraced in the moment. I see people smile and showing love, patience, kneeling down at their level, meeting them eye to eye, paying attention and listening."

"I genuinely care for people of all walks of life. I believe that it's a calling and you have to have the heart and passion to serve God's people and I'm serving one at a time in my community. I’m believing that every encounter makes a difference. They will see me not only as a great nurse but someone who took time to help care for them."

"We can never underestimate the power of one because in that one there are many, in the many there is one, always acknowledging and knowing that you're surrounded by love, and support. When you allow yourself and say yes to the calling, know that the love and peace of God is with you, and just walk in faith."

"For me it was those words that were spoken over me by my grandmother that I took into my heart, and I believe them every single day of my life knowing that I walk in a calling, knowing that I love to serve, and every door is an opportunity to serve our community, one by one I'm knocking on the door serving and showing love to many.”

Thank you, Mirella for living love, for the wisdom shared and for opening your heart and hands to the gift of healing.

 Liz Sorensen Wessel
Healing Touch By ~liz

Healthcare's Strange New War - April 22-26

After he became a patient himself, famous Neurosurgeon Allan Hamilton echoed what millions already knew: “All the way through residency, I thought it was about efficiency, speed and accuracy when it was really about compassion.”

That was fifteen years ago. Now comes news you have heard but is more frightening. Our healthcare and our humanity are entangled in a strange war.

The value of human hands and hearts is threatened. Artificial Intelligence robots threaten to rip the Golden Thread of loving care from human hands.

Yes Ai is a great but what about the threat? Robots are revolutionizing care for the elderly in Japan and Korea. Big companies are bringing them this way fast.
They don’t just do task work. Ai now includes Artificial compassion (Ac?). They fake compassion by mimicking what we thought only we could do. 

Corporate structures increasingly frustrate kindness on the altars of efficiency and money. They LOVE efficiency, speed and accuracy. Compassion? They do not see money there. They win unless we increasingly demonstrate the unique power of humanity's most profound healing gift: loving care.

Here's the thing: Neither robots nor humans can always cure. But humans can always deliver something robots cannot: healing. 

Humans can keep Ai in its place. But only by drawing down the Golden Thread of compassion from the hem of God’s grace to sew up the wounded spirits of patients. 

This is our most important healing power. Soon, it may be the only one we have left.

-Erie Chapman 

Image: Brian Stauffer - Scientific American

Earth Day is Every Day! April 20-21

 

EARTHDAY.ORG grew out of the first Earth Day in 1970, and is now the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in over 192 countries to drive positive action for our planet. 

OUR VISION FOR CHANGE

“Our world needs transformational change. It’s time for the world to hold sectors accountable for their role in our environmental crisis while also calling for bold, creative, and innovative solutions. This will require action at all levels, from business and investment to city and national government.

That’s where you come in: As an individual, you yield real power and influence as a consumer, a voter, and a member of a community that can unite for change.

Don’t underestimate your power. When your voice and your actions are united with thousands or millions of others around the world, we create a movement that is inclusive, impactful, and impossible to ignore.

Every Earth Day can drive a year of energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to create a new plan of action for our planet.” (EARTHDAY.ORG)

We are accustomed to the conveniences of modern life, quick and easy access to products, that are often in disposable wrappings. It has become known that for that for the most part recycling isn’t really happening as well as the incredibly harmful effects of plastics on our environment, ocean life, humans and our planet.

“The Global Plastic Treaty is an opportunity for the United Nations and Governmental Organizations to prove the health of the planet and its citizens take priority over an industry threatening the health of every human on Earth.”

“Most importantly, though, it is a chance for our world to come together as one, and truly pledge and commit themselves to restoring the planet, following the model of the successful international cooperation found in the Montreal Protocol.”

“The Global Plastics Treaty has the potential to end plastic pollution, protect human health, and lead to a waste-free world. We cannot allow our governments to waste this pivotal opportunity.” (earthday.org)

Tips on how we each can help in small ways that can have a huge impact if we all do our part.

REDUCE

Reduce your own plastic waste. Start by using our plastic calculator to track how much you use — then you can take steps to reduce your use and waste. https://www.earthday.org/plastic-pollution-calculator-2/

REUSE

Always choose quality and durability over convenience. Single-use bags, cups, and other products usually cost you more in the long term — and definitely cost our planet.

RECYCLE

Find the plastics you no longer need and dispose of them properly. If you can, replace them with long-lasting options.

TIPS

Bring your own reusable shopping and produce bags to markets, and avoid using single-use plastic bags.

Bring your own reusable coffee cup when going out to get beverages.

Like sipping through straws? Get a durable stainless steel, glass, or bamboo one to use instead of wasteful plastic ones.

Instead of buying water in plastic bottles, invest in a water filter and trusty water bottle(s). Bonus: it’s cheaper in the long run.

Make your own reusable cloth bags from old t-shirts, using basic sewing skills (or no sewing at all). (Find simple instructions online). https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/make_a_diy_t-shirt_tote_bag.pdf

Choose clothing and other personal items made from earth-friendly materials instead of microfibers and other synthetic fibers, which pollute our water. (Even more ways to green your style.) https://www.earthday.org/2018/04/25/earth-friendly-fashion-guide-14-ways-to-green-your-style/

Bring a reusable container to a restaurant with you when you expect to have leftovers.

Instead of bulky laundry detergent bottle use laundry strips. There a various products on the market, I happen to use strips Tru Earth https://tru.earth/ (Liz)

Instead of bulky fabric softeners bottles  try wool balls in your dryer, they are great! (Liz)

Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22 this year. Wishing you a blessed Earth Day!

Shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel

Photo by Chrissy Maio (my gifted niece)

What to Say to Grievers April 18-20

Because of six decades spent in hospitals, courtrooms & prison ministry I am asked, "What do I say to grieving friends." My response is, "Nothing. Presence is everything."

My dear Divinity school friend and world class minister, Rev. Kaye Harvey (pictured), sent a poem by Patricia McKernon Reynolds, that is far more eloquent: 

When You Meet Someone Deep in Grief.

Slip off your needs
and set them by the door.

Enter barefoot
this darkened chapel

hollowed by loss
hallowed by sorrow

its gray stone walls
and floor.

You, congregation
of one

Are here to listen
not to sing.

Kneel in the back pew.
Make no sound,

let the candles
speak.

What do you say to Grief? "Let the 'candles' speak." 

-Erie Chapman

One Smile April 14, 2024

"Be The Reason Someone Smiles." ~Roy T. Bennett

One smile has the power to...

Calm fears.

Soften stone walls.

Warm a cold heart.

Invite a new friend.

Mimic a loving hug.

Beautify the bearer.

Lighten heavy loads.

Promote good deeds.

Brighten a gloomy day.

Comfort a grieving spirit.

Offer hope to the forlorn.

Send a message of caring.

Lift the downtrodden soul.

Patch up invisible wounds.

Weaken the hold of misery.

Act as medicine for suffering.

Attract the companionship of angels.

Fulfill the human need for recognition.

Who knew changing the world would prove so simple?

~ Richelle E. Goodrich

 

You're the reason!  A caregiver's smile lights up the darkest of nights. 

Shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel
Photo-Internet

 

The Tulips Knew April 6-7 2024

How did they know
it was time to push up through the long-wintered soil?

How did they know
it was the moment to resurrect,
while thick layers of stubborn ice
still pressed the bleak ground flat?

But the tulips knew.

They came, rising strongly,
a day after the ice died.

There’s a hope-filled place in me
that also knows when to rise,
that waits for the last layer of ice
to melt into obscurity.

It is urged by the strong sun
warming my wintered heart.
It is nudged by the Secret One,
calling, calling, calling:
“Arise, my love, and come.”

My heart stirs like dormant tulips
and hope comes dancing forth.

Not unlike the Holy One
kissing the morning sun,
waving a final farewell
to a tomb emptied of its treasure.

by © Joyce Rupp

 

Prayer

Source of love, rise as the spring in our overwintered hearts. Help us stretch from the dark and nourishing soil to the bright and nurturing sunlight. Help us reach one another. Love us back to life in all its fullness as we blossom and unfold amid days that will always contain beauty and terror alike. No matter what else they may hold, may each day contain impossible, inexorable, blooming love. Amen. -
Rev. Molly House Gordon

Shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel
Tulips by the talented artist by Bobbye Terry