The Journey Home

I was asked to give a devotion to our first full staff meeting of the year last Monday. I have not written or given a devotion in many years. I’ve done lots of weddings and funerals/ memorials where I have written a eulogy or a thoughtful message for a couple, but the pressure to do a devotional was heavy for me. After many drafts and vulnerability this is what I shared…

January 23, 2023

Yesterday many of our Asian colleagues, friends and fellow humans worldwide celebrated the lunar new year. They welcomed in the year of the Rabbit. Prior to this time of celebration was a horrific tragedy (unfortunately becoming too common in our country) from within this same community. 11 lives were lost, including the shooter, and 10 lives are suffering injuries sustained during this attack. Numerous lives have been changed in a moment of tragic violence.

It made me think about all of the patients and families we have encountered and cared for in this new year alone, in just several weeks, who are reeling from sudden tragedies that have forever changed their lives as well. As our Asian brothers and sisters start their new year honoring the lives that have been changed from this violent act, I want us to pause and remember not only this event, and these lost, but all of those we have cared for thus far in our own journeys and still hold close to your hearts in this moment.

(pause for moment of reflection)

I’ve been thinking about the new year a lot lately. Have any of you made resolutions? I’m not one to make resolutions anymore, probably because in the past I broke them all within the first few months. However, as I entered this new year there were two words that entered with me- healing and home. These last several years have been hard years, not only for me but for all of us. We have survived and we are still here. I realized for myself at the end of last year, by a thread.

I love my job. I love being a chaplain. I love being able to walk many different journeys with people. Think about all the journeys you have walked thus far (lots of tragic and sad journeys, journeys of hope and healing, and journeys of joy and celebration). I’m humbled in being welcomed into sacred spaces by complete strangers who trust me with their vulnerability, their fear, their pain knowing that I (we) carry with me (us) the presence of the Divine: who loves, who sees and who comforts.

I’ve been reflecting and reminded of who I am this year and who I am called to be. I want you to take a moment and remember what you love most about what you do… In the midst of the challenges and at times exhaustion, what keeps you going? What makes you come back each day?…

Hopefully it is not only your call, but those you care for, your peers, your colleagues who are on the front lines with you, offering of yourself and time. We are a team and we have each other. I needed to be reminded that I am not alone in this work, I have you all and the team members I spend each day serving alongside, caring for our patients and their families. I hope you are able to smile like I am when I think of this work I do and those I do it alongside.

I’m on a journey this year of healing- emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. I hope you all will join me on this journey this year reflecting on what healing you may need to engage and what you need.

The words of Jesus have laid on my heart throughout the end of last year. ‘Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.’ We offer this extension to everyone but do we genuinely offer it to ourselves?

May we rest in knowing that that which is greater than ourselves is inviting us to come and rest and renew our spirits as we continue to live out our callings as chaplains, as educators, as care providers, and as those who support us all behind the scenes that we would be lost without.

I’ve felt a renewed awakening in my spirit and in my call as a chaplain. A blessing by John O’Donohue has continued to pop up in my mind and heart and I know not to ignore those divine moments so I want to end with A Blessing for Your Work as we begin this new year of 2023.

Please listen with your spirit and heart and breathe in these words and let them land where they need.

Blessing of your work by John O’Donohue

May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work
You do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those
Who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in the bland absences.
May the day never burden you.
May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams,
Possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.