Friday Lookback
I'm not even sure where to begin in my reflections this week. At some points, I'm tired and depressed, and at other points I feel encouraged and renewed in the Lord's work. Let's just look back on some events this week, and how they impacted me, as best as I can remember.
1. Tuesday we had open house at the new Dallas office for Lifeline. The drive to Dallas was a blessing, as I got to know someone on a deeper level than office chit-chat and hellos. She is a remarkable woman, and has been through a great deal of crisis in her own life, yet does not let those times of despair ruin the joy she has in being a child of God.
2. I was able to pray with an older black couple Wednesday, friends of the friend I drove to Dallas. As I closed our visit in a prayer, I was encouraged and blessed by the affirmations of my prayer and the praise given to God during that time. Our outlook on worship styles seems to grow when there are 2 or 3 gathered. Things that bug you in corporate worship, seem to grow to a blessing when praying one on one with a child of God who has been beaten up by life. I had this urge to just get louder and keep talkin' to the Lord.
3. During our open house in Dallas, I met an old preacher man who knew my Pappy. There was something about that moment that just made my heart jump. As I sat there listening to him talk, all I could think was "I really like talking to friends of my grandparents, because somehow it seems to keep their lives alive." He talked about how Walter would spend a great deal of time in his office. He'd go get some coffee, and just sit down and talk. He said he kept him encouraged. Funny how things like that seem to be inherited. Pappy did a good job teaching dad, who taught me, how to be a good friend to folks. For that, he will always be a part of me... everytime I sip a cup of coffee, and am reminded of the love we have for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
4. I met a 5 year old TCH patient yesterday. As he sat on the window ledge, looking out at the cranes and train passing by, he remained very quiet. Didn't even look my direction much, just staring off into a world he was unable to be part of today. I was hit pretty good with this visit, as I just imaged my 5 year old sitting there. The trains and the toys and the videos just don't seem to help much. There was just this urge to hug him, and tell him I was sorry he was going through this, and that God is always with him. Well... that was my last visit for the day. My mind seemed to just be warped, and it affected the physical parts as well. Unable or just unwilling to go. I got me some chick-fil-a to help numb the pain.
I am constantly reminded of the importance of a relationship with Christ as I visit our brothers and sisters in Christ at the hospitals. I have been reading (on tape) the book by John McCain "The Faith of my Fathers" this last week, and now CSLewis "Mere Christianity". McCain brought out something I encountered with a patient a week or so ago, in that being in isolation for so long, and being alone, the first glimpse you have of another person, you saturate the time with conversation. Just to hear yourself speak, but to also have that companionship you have been lacking for so long. Lifeline is that companion in crisis. I am that friend they have been longing to see. Everytime I hesistate to knock on the door, I need to be reminded of the isolation my brothers are in, and enter with a willing heart and a loving spirit of Christ to share in their pain, and lift up their spirit.
1. Tuesday we had open house at the new Dallas office for Lifeline. The drive to Dallas was a blessing, as I got to know someone on a deeper level than office chit-chat and hellos. She is a remarkable woman, and has been through a great deal of crisis in her own life, yet does not let those times of despair ruin the joy she has in being a child of God.
2. I was able to pray with an older black couple Wednesday, friends of the friend I drove to Dallas. As I closed our visit in a prayer, I was encouraged and blessed by the affirmations of my prayer and the praise given to God during that time. Our outlook on worship styles seems to grow when there are 2 or 3 gathered. Things that bug you in corporate worship, seem to grow to a blessing when praying one on one with a child of God who has been beaten up by life. I had this urge to just get louder and keep talkin' to the Lord.
3. During our open house in Dallas, I met an old preacher man who knew my Pappy. There was something about that moment that just made my heart jump. As I sat there listening to him talk, all I could think was "I really like talking to friends of my grandparents, because somehow it seems to keep their lives alive." He talked about how Walter would spend a great deal of time in his office. He'd go get some coffee, and just sit down and talk. He said he kept him encouraged. Funny how things like that seem to be inherited. Pappy did a good job teaching dad, who taught me, how to be a good friend to folks. For that, he will always be a part of me... everytime I sip a cup of coffee, and am reminded of the love we have for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
4. I met a 5 year old TCH patient yesterday. As he sat on the window ledge, looking out at the cranes and train passing by, he remained very quiet. Didn't even look my direction much, just staring off into a world he was unable to be part of today. I was hit pretty good with this visit, as I just imaged my 5 year old sitting there. The trains and the toys and the videos just don't seem to help much. There was just this urge to hug him, and tell him I was sorry he was going through this, and that God is always with him. Well... that was my last visit for the day. My mind seemed to just be warped, and it affected the physical parts as well. Unable or just unwilling to go. I got me some chick-fil-a to help numb the pain.
I am constantly reminded of the importance of a relationship with Christ as I visit our brothers and sisters in Christ at the hospitals. I have been reading (on tape) the book by John McCain "The Faith of my Fathers" this last week, and now CSLewis "Mere Christianity". McCain brought out something I encountered with a patient a week or so ago, in that being in isolation for so long, and being alone, the first glimpse you have of another person, you saturate the time with conversation. Just to hear yourself speak, but to also have that companionship you have been lacking for so long. Lifeline is that companion in crisis. I am that friend they have been longing to see. Everytime I hesistate to knock on the door, I need to be reminded of the isolation my brothers are in, and enter with a willing heart and a loving spirit of Christ to share in their pain, and lift up their spirit.
posted by sirEller | 6:58 AM
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