Growing up, I was always close to my family. I was born in Peoria, Illinois surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, my parents, and lifelong friends of my parents. There was never a shortage of people to hold me and show affection to me. Although I don’t remember the love being offered to me by my family, there was a strong connection to my family instilled me at a very early age. The connection to my family still informs my spiritual life today. Therefore, keeping a healthy balance with work and home life is something I work very hard at maintaining. One way I currently maintain balance is by being aware of the relationships I have with my family. Currently, in my home, it is just my wife, my daughter, and me. With both my wife and daughter I have different relationships.
As a father, I want to make sure I am available to my daughter. I do want to be supportive and open to the potential of life she will bring not only to me, but to the rest of the family as well. Since she is so young, she has A LOT to learn, and I have something to teach her. Everyday we have made it a point to go outside and explore the yard. There are all kinds of bugs, flowers, and objects in the sky that she has not seen before. She is very enthusiastic about showing me these new things. As I walk with her, I help her with the names of the new experiences. It is a time I look forward to very much.
As a husband, I want to be available to my wife. Like my daughter, I want to be supportive of my wife and open to the potential of life she offers to me. My wife is a very special person in my life. With her, I am able to share intimate thoughts. I am able to expose my vulnerable side. I trust her and feel safe being vulnerable with her. We have been through much suffering in our 7 years of marriage, but we have walked together and learned how to transform the suffering. We have learned from our mistakes and continue to make an effort to rise to the challenges of life together.
I have similar experiences when I am with my grandmother, mother, father, and aunts and uncles. With all of them, I have different relationships. They each bring out a different part of my spiritual life. They each inform me to a greater extent of my needs, desires, pleasures, dislikes etc….
Keeping myself informed and aware of the different relationships I am involved with is one way to maintain balance between family and work. My effort to engage in relationship is a way in which I actively keep my spirit healthy. I have learned and experienced the benefits of community. With the help of others, all helping me to explore different aspects of myself, I have found strength and energy to continue to explore ways to balance my family and work.
Another medium for maintaining balance with my family and work is through awareness of my emotions. For further discussion, read Spirituality & Our Emotions and Finding Balance Through Relationship.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Acceptance Through Relationship
There have been several questions concerning how I cope with people who do not believe the same way I do, how I handle the belief that if you are not a follower of Christ, then an eternity of fire and bruning is your destiny, and methods to get people in line with what I believe. There are several ways to approach these issues, I could talk about theology and what the scriptures actually were talking about, and the community they were attempting to build, but that would take a whole book or more to discuss. What I can do, however, is discuss my personal convictions, and how I handle balancing my convictions with those of different perspectives.
After having a lot of experiences with churches and people in my lifetime, I have become convicted of the belief of acceptance. I believe through relationship with other individuals and accepting them for who they are in the moment makes all the difference in the world. I have been door to door and “saved” numerous people, but always felt like I ended up leaving them without any further direction. What was lacking was meaningful relationship.
When I read the scriptures, particularly the New Testament, I read about a Christ who built relationships with people. There were some he was closer to than others; the disciples were part of his posse. Some he had only brief encounters with, but he was concerned with them nonetheless. More importantly, Christ did not reject those who rejected him. Peter, the Rock, denied him three times, and yet, Christ forgave him. When Christ died on the cross, I believe he died for all, not just some privileged few. I also experience Christ as a voice that spoke out against the religious leaders who felt it was their way or the highway. Perhaps, for the gospel writer John, believing in Christ was the only way. I don’t believe it is too far off to say, John had his personal convictions about who Christ was, just as I do; just as you do as well. The scriptures are best served if they are used to tell you how others experienced Christ, as opposed to what to believe about Christ. Just as the writers had the right to their viewpoints, you do as well. For some, a life without Christ is hell.
As a chaplain, I visit individuals with my personal belief of acceptance through relationship. I believe strongly in the power of healing that comes when an individual is heard, brought out of isolation, and into community. I believe deep inside of us all is a spiritual being waiting to be unleashed. While religion can help us unleash the power of the spirit, it can also be harmful. We must seek out what we truly believe, whether we are a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindi, asking ourselves, based on experience with life and your personal beliefs, who is Christ, who is Muhammad, or who is Buddha? More importantly, who or what is God? I want to leave a quote that coincides with by beliefs about relationship, it's by Elizabeth Fiorenza from her book "In Memory of Her":
Relationships are not built on the transfer of money and resources, but rather on an exchange of hopes, fears, and life stories. Christian spirituality means eating together, sharing together, drinking together, talking with each other, receiving each other, experiencing God’s presence through each other, and in doing so, proclaiming the gospel as God’s alternative vision for everyone…especially those who are poor, outcast, and battered.
After having a lot of experiences with churches and people in my lifetime, I have become convicted of the belief of acceptance. I believe through relationship with other individuals and accepting them for who they are in the moment makes all the difference in the world. I have been door to door and “saved” numerous people, but always felt like I ended up leaving them without any further direction. What was lacking was meaningful relationship.
When I read the scriptures, particularly the New Testament, I read about a Christ who built relationships with people. There were some he was closer to than others; the disciples were part of his posse. Some he had only brief encounters with, but he was concerned with them nonetheless. More importantly, Christ did not reject those who rejected him. Peter, the Rock, denied him three times, and yet, Christ forgave him. When Christ died on the cross, I believe he died for all, not just some privileged few. I also experience Christ as a voice that spoke out against the religious leaders who felt it was their way or the highway. Perhaps, for the gospel writer John, believing in Christ was the only way. I don’t believe it is too far off to say, John had his personal convictions about who Christ was, just as I do; just as you do as well. The scriptures are best served if they are used to tell you how others experienced Christ, as opposed to what to believe about Christ. Just as the writers had the right to their viewpoints, you do as well. For some, a life without Christ is hell.
As a chaplain, I visit individuals with my personal belief of acceptance through relationship. I believe strongly in the power of healing that comes when an individual is heard, brought out of isolation, and into community. I believe deep inside of us all is a spiritual being waiting to be unleashed. While religion can help us unleash the power of the spirit, it can also be harmful. We must seek out what we truly believe, whether we are a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindi, asking ourselves, based on experience with life and your personal beliefs, who is Christ, who is Muhammad, or who is Buddha? More importantly, who or what is God? I want to leave a quote that coincides with by beliefs about relationship, it's by Elizabeth Fiorenza from her book "In Memory of Her":
Relationships are not built on the transfer of money and resources, but rather on an exchange of hopes, fears, and life stories. Christian spirituality means eating together, sharing together, drinking together, talking with each other, receiving each other, experiencing God’s presence through each other, and in doing so, proclaiming the gospel as God’s alternative vision for everyone…especially those who are poor, outcast, and battered.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Spirituality & Our Emotions: The World Awaits To Experience You
While religion is often a major part of our spirituality, there are other aspects of our spirit that are also important to point out. As a chaplain, awareness of emotions and how they affect my spirituality is also important. Every situation I walk into stirs up different emotions within me. There have been times when I have been angry upon seeing a person being abused, I am sad when somebody I have known for a very long time dies, and I am always happy when a person finds healing through the help of community.
It is very possible to be in this line of work and find yourself discouraged and depressed. The lack of awareness usually leads to depression. Depression usually results when we do not have an outlet or are afraid to release the emotions inside of us. I have spoken to a number of bereaved individuals who become depressed six and nine months after a death because they never allowed themselves time to grieve. They kept all their emotions bottled up, until there was no more room inside. The result is often the overwhelmed feeling of depression.
I have had my own share of depressed days, and I have dealt with those days in both unhealthy and healthy ways. When I am not managing the grief I experience, I become depressed. Then the work of being a chaplain becomes difficult. Fortunately, I have been working as a chaplain long enough now that I have discovered useful ways to manage my grief. Some of these ways include: talking to trusted friends, exercising (I often run to clear my thoughts), and most importantly, give myself permission to feel what I am feeling. When I am managing my grief and emotions in a healthy manner, a funny thing happens: my spirit begins to reveal itself.
As stated in a previous blog, A New Perspective on Spirituality, I continue on the downward path to peace. Because I am able to cope with my emotions, I am able to move into the vulnerable spaces of the emotions of others and not be afraid. I know that from my experience that confronting your fears and giving yourself permission to feel leads to healing. We trap ourselves with rules and regulations, kidding ourselves into believing that we shouldn’t be feeling what we feel. Countless times I have been told by others, I have no right to be angry. The truth is, yes you do.
It is valid to see the work I do as discouraging and depressing, because this is very much a reality for those doing this work. However, I have done a great deal of work to become aware of my emotions and how they inform my spirituality. I work hard to allow myself to feel. The permission I give myself allows the emotions to be displayed to others constantly to others. They become released from me. I don’t have to suffer alone when I have the whole world available to me.
The end result is that I find myself encouraged, saddened, angered, anxious, and joyful about my work. Everyday is truly an adventure. I never know what is going to happen next.
It is very possible to be in this line of work and find yourself discouraged and depressed. The lack of awareness usually leads to depression. Depression usually results when we do not have an outlet or are afraid to release the emotions inside of us. I have spoken to a number of bereaved individuals who become depressed six and nine months after a death because they never allowed themselves time to grieve. They kept all their emotions bottled up, until there was no more room inside. The result is often the overwhelmed feeling of depression.
I have had my own share of depressed days, and I have dealt with those days in both unhealthy and healthy ways. When I am not managing the grief I experience, I become depressed. Then the work of being a chaplain becomes difficult. Fortunately, I have been working as a chaplain long enough now that I have discovered useful ways to manage my grief. Some of these ways include: talking to trusted friends, exercising (I often run to clear my thoughts), and most importantly, give myself permission to feel what I am feeling. When I am managing my grief and emotions in a healthy manner, a funny thing happens: my spirit begins to reveal itself.
As stated in a previous blog, A New Perspective on Spirituality, I continue on the downward path to peace. Because I am able to cope with my emotions, I am able to move into the vulnerable spaces of the emotions of others and not be afraid. I know that from my experience that confronting your fears and giving yourself permission to feel leads to healing. We trap ourselves with rules and regulations, kidding ourselves into believing that we shouldn’t be feeling what we feel. Countless times I have been told by others, I have no right to be angry. The truth is, yes you do.
It is valid to see the work I do as discouraging and depressing, because this is very much a reality for those doing this work. However, I have done a great deal of work to become aware of my emotions and how they inform my spirituality. I work hard to allow myself to feel. The permission I give myself allows the emotions to be displayed to others constantly to others. They become released from me. I don’t have to suffer alone when I have the whole world available to me.
The end result is that I find myself encouraged, saddened, angered, anxious, and joyful about my work. Everyday is truly an adventure. I never know what is going to happen next.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A New Perspective on Spirituality
The world is getting smaller. It is difficult, in the world today, to live and not run into somebody of a different perspective that is not the same as ours. This is true in all aspects of life, and religion is not any different. People of all religious faiths are conversing with each other constantly. These beliefs challenge and cause us to reflect on our own faith. Unfortunately, it seems when religions collide, they need to be right, thus creating conflict.
As the world opens up and continues to offer itself to us, I believe the possibilities of God, faith, and religion need to expand as well. There is more to be gained from learning from one another, than fighting with one another over metaphors for who God is. Learning to think of ourselves as spiritual beings, rather than religious beings, opens us to not only greater possibilities for God, but for community as well.
Spirituality is commonly thought to be tied exclusively to religion. I have said this before in previous post (read The Mission of a Chaplain), and I still stand by it, religion is an important part of our spirituality. Religion is the vehicle for which we express a very intimate part of our spirituality. I am in the work that I am in mainly because I am a follower of Christ. When I read the scripture, I see a Christ that went to the sick, the lonely, the forgotten, and the oppressed. He offered to them his presence, compassion, and kindness. Through the offering of himself, he brought healing to those on the fringes of society. He also brought them out of isolation and offered to them community. He brought them into relationship. The faith I have plays a major role in creating my spiritual being.
When talking to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist, and other beliefs (read Spiritual Care to Atheist), I have learned a great deal about their religions that connect with my personal beliefs. In Buddhism, for example, the Bodhisattva is a warrior of compassion, gentleness, and loving-kindness. The Bodhisattva moves from the mountain top down into the valley where the pain and hurt exist in order to discover the pools of healing. The idea is that by confronting what we are most afraid of, we will be freed from it; we will obtain the heart of the Bodhichitta. The Bodhisattva is a warrior because he/she is not afraid. Moving down this mountain takes a lifetime, or perhaps several lifetimes to achieve. This Buddhist belief is in tune with my Christian beliefs. Christ entered into the suffering of others without fear. Learning this has enhanced not only my faith, but my spiritual life as well.
There is plenty of potential religion can offer to spirituality. The understanding of all religions can enhance our ability to enjoy and experience life. It is possible to enter into dialogue without feeling the need to defend your beliefs. Simply listening to another talk about their beliefs, without feeling the need to prove something, can be enough. In the same way, listening to another talk about things such as, their favorite baseball team, a good book, writing, their family, and even disappointments can expand possibilities for life. The world is too big and offering us too much to live with a narrow perspective. We need not be afraid to open up.
A new perspective on spirituality does need to unfold. I believe a possible perspective of spirituality would be to see us all here as fellow strugglers; fellow spiritual beings, trying to make sense of what is going on in the world. We have our beliefs, things we love, and it’s O.K. Honest and open listening needs to be a required skill to live life, and the need to be right needs to die. The path of peace takes us deep into our spiritual beings where we realize that we are all connected and not so different from one another after all.
As the world opens up and continues to offer itself to us, I believe the possibilities of God, faith, and religion need to expand as well. There is more to be gained from learning from one another, than fighting with one another over metaphors for who God is. Learning to think of ourselves as spiritual beings, rather than religious beings, opens us to not only greater possibilities for God, but for community as well.
Spirituality is commonly thought to be tied exclusively to religion. I have said this before in previous post (read The Mission of a Chaplain), and I still stand by it, religion is an important part of our spirituality. Religion is the vehicle for which we express a very intimate part of our spirituality. I am in the work that I am in mainly because I am a follower of Christ. When I read the scripture, I see a Christ that went to the sick, the lonely, the forgotten, and the oppressed. He offered to them his presence, compassion, and kindness. Through the offering of himself, he brought healing to those on the fringes of society. He also brought them out of isolation and offered to them community. He brought them into relationship. The faith I have plays a major role in creating my spiritual being.
When talking to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist, and other beliefs (read Spiritual Care to Atheist), I have learned a great deal about their religions that connect with my personal beliefs. In Buddhism, for example, the Bodhisattva is a warrior of compassion, gentleness, and loving-kindness. The Bodhisattva moves from the mountain top down into the valley where the pain and hurt exist in order to discover the pools of healing. The idea is that by confronting what we are most afraid of, we will be freed from it; we will obtain the heart of the Bodhichitta. The Bodhisattva is a warrior because he/she is not afraid. Moving down this mountain takes a lifetime, or perhaps several lifetimes to achieve. This Buddhist belief is in tune with my Christian beliefs. Christ entered into the suffering of others without fear. Learning this has enhanced not only my faith, but my spiritual life as well.
There is plenty of potential religion can offer to spirituality. The understanding of all religions can enhance our ability to enjoy and experience life. It is possible to enter into dialogue without feeling the need to defend your beliefs. Simply listening to another talk about their beliefs, without feeling the need to prove something, can be enough. In the same way, listening to another talk about things such as, their favorite baseball team, a good book, writing, their family, and even disappointments can expand possibilities for life. The world is too big and offering us too much to live with a narrow perspective. We need not be afraid to open up.
A new perspective on spirituality does need to unfold. I believe a possible perspective of spirituality would be to see us all here as fellow strugglers; fellow spiritual beings, trying to make sense of what is going on in the world. We have our beliefs, things we love, and it’s O.K. Honest and open listening needs to be a required skill to live life, and the need to be right needs to die. The path of peace takes us deep into our spiritual beings where we realize that we are all connected and not so different from one another after all.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Spiritual Care to Atheist
Currently, I do provide care to a proclaimed atheist. Before I discuss how I provide spiritual care to an atheist, let me reiterate a point about spiritual care: spiritual care goes beyond just religious care (read The Mission of the Chaplain). While the two are connected, they certainly are not exclusive of one another. In my experience, a person can be spiritual without being religious and religious without being spiritual. Spirituality includes a wider range of activities in our life. I often explain spirituality as anything that gives you life. If you think or meditate about those things that you find the most enjoyment in, chances are you are connecting with a part of your spirit. I have found writing to be a spiritual activity, because it helps me to order my thoughts, it helps me to express myself, and it challenges me intellectually. Of course, the list could go on, but the point is spirituality has more to do with the drive to continue to seek out life. Spirituality can also be what gives us a reason to get out of bed in the morning, to go to work, have a family, and want to better ourselves. I have talked to many people, and this desire exists with most of them. Many people connect this drive for life with God.
A gentleman I currently visit with says to me all the time, “I pray to all the gods, I pray to the god that will come to take me away, whichever god that may be.” He tells me he does not believe in a god, but just in case there is he wants to cover his tracks. I never bring up the issue of religion or God with him, but as we sit, him with beer in one hand, and cigar in the other, and I with an occasional coke in my hand, we talk about those things he enjoys the most: gambling, beer, cigars, his work, and sports. I have learned a great deal about gambling from him, so if anybody needs any tips I might be able to help you out. There is always a common theme with the subjects he talks about, however. The “vices” he had were always done with others; with his friends. He looked forward to getting up and going to work, because of the people who were there. This was all a part of his spirituality (although he does not fully realize it yet). Now, I do not condone his behavior, and we have talked about how his vices have caused hardship with himself and his family. But, the direction I do guide him in is to focus on his enjoyment of being with others and talking. As we talk, he is able to open up, get things off his mind, and free himself a little more each time. My hope is that he will continue to realize the importance of communing and discover a gift within himself.
Since spirituality is not exclusively tied to religion, I am able to maneuver in a number of venues without needing to force my particular beliefs on others. I want people to discover for themselves what they believe to be true. God can be found in a number of places and ways. God is certainly not tied to just religion. We don’t have to be in church or synagogue to experience God, God is in our writing, nature, family, self, work, and maybe, just maybe even when we are sitting with one another enjoying a good cigar and beer.
I encourage everyone to not be afraid to love what they love. To deny what you love is to deny a vital part of your spirit. To let go, give in to your spirit will open possibilities beyond your belief.
A gentleman I currently visit with says to me all the time, “I pray to all the gods, I pray to the god that will come to take me away, whichever god that may be.” He tells me he does not believe in a god, but just in case there is he wants to cover his tracks. I never bring up the issue of religion or God with him, but as we sit, him with beer in one hand, and cigar in the other, and I with an occasional coke in my hand, we talk about those things he enjoys the most: gambling, beer, cigars, his work, and sports. I have learned a great deal about gambling from him, so if anybody needs any tips I might be able to help you out. There is always a common theme with the subjects he talks about, however. The “vices” he had were always done with others; with his friends. He looked forward to getting up and going to work, because of the people who were there. This was all a part of his spirituality (although he does not fully realize it yet). Now, I do not condone his behavior, and we have talked about how his vices have caused hardship with himself and his family. But, the direction I do guide him in is to focus on his enjoyment of being with others and talking. As we talk, he is able to open up, get things off his mind, and free himself a little more each time. My hope is that he will continue to realize the importance of communing and discover a gift within himself.
Since spirituality is not exclusively tied to religion, I am able to maneuver in a number of venues without needing to force my particular beliefs on others. I want people to discover for themselves what they believe to be true. God can be found in a number of places and ways. God is certainly not tied to just religion. We don’t have to be in church or synagogue to experience God, God is in our writing, nature, family, self, work, and maybe, just maybe even when we are sitting with one another enjoying a good cigar and beer.
I encourage everyone to not be afraid to love what they love. To deny what you love is to deny a vital part of your spirit. To let go, give in to your spirit will open possibilities beyond your belief.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Finding Balance Through Relationship
The job of a chaplain can be very taxing emotionally, if not approached in a healthy balanced manner. As a chaplain, I have the responsibility to be emotionally available to patients while at the same time keep a healthy distance from the situation. This is a difficult skill. It has taken a lot of training and practice to hone. Although, I cannot give all the ways in which I find the balance, I can describe the first skill I had to learn and practice.
The best way to describe how to find balance is by understanding the extremes. The first extreme is being emotionally over invested in a family or patient. Those who begin work in healthcare sometimes get involved in it in order to experience the emotion of it all. Because of their unawareness of the emotional self, they quickly find themselves not only trying to work out the issues of the family, but their own struggles as well. This has negative effect on caring for families. The families can quickly find themselves having to care for the person who is supposed to be there caring for them. Consequently, the people who are over invested often burn out quickly; there are too many families with too many problems. It is not possible for one person to care for everybody.
On the other hand, there are healthcare workers who are not emotionally involved and keep an emotional distance between them and those they are attempting to care for. I have worked with such individuals. Some of the ways they keep their distance are: rushing in and out of rooms, using words, such as medical jargon, or fancy theological terms, or they just don’t flat out care. Another way to keep emotional distance is to have a set agenda before walking into the room. I have, I am guilty, walked into a room, after a long day, with one thing in mind: to talk about what they want to talk about and then get out. This emotional distance can leave the individual feeling more isolated and lonely than they did before I walked in the door.
So the key, then, is to find a balance somewhere in the middle. I have to realize when I visit with an individual that I am a chaplain; that is my role. Individuals to a certain degree expect that I will be offering them professional guidance and support. At the same time, however, I remain in touch with my humanity. I empathize (not sympathize) with individuals. I know they are hurting, and I know how uncomfortable and distressing hurt can be, I have had my own share of it.
The most powerful way in which I have discovered finding balance is through relationship. I believe strongly in the power of relationship. In my relationship with individuals, I remain emotionally open to them, affirming their need to feel what they feel, while at the same time guiding them in a direction that will bring them comfort. The direction I usual guide them to is within. Deep inside is where the capacity to heal ourselves already exist; it just has to be tapped into.
See also Spirituality and Our Emotions.
The best way to describe how to find balance is by understanding the extremes. The first extreme is being emotionally over invested in a family or patient. Those who begin work in healthcare sometimes get involved in it in order to experience the emotion of it all. Because of their unawareness of the emotional self, they quickly find themselves not only trying to work out the issues of the family, but their own struggles as well. This has negative effect on caring for families. The families can quickly find themselves having to care for the person who is supposed to be there caring for them. Consequently, the people who are over invested often burn out quickly; there are too many families with too many problems. It is not possible for one person to care for everybody.
On the other hand, there are healthcare workers who are not emotionally involved and keep an emotional distance between them and those they are attempting to care for. I have worked with such individuals. Some of the ways they keep their distance are: rushing in and out of rooms, using words, such as medical jargon, or fancy theological terms, or they just don’t flat out care. Another way to keep emotional distance is to have a set agenda before walking into the room. I have, I am guilty, walked into a room, after a long day, with one thing in mind: to talk about what they want to talk about and then get out. This emotional distance can leave the individual feeling more isolated and lonely than they did before I walked in the door.
So the key, then, is to find a balance somewhere in the middle. I have to realize when I visit with an individual that I am a chaplain; that is my role. Individuals to a certain degree expect that I will be offering them professional guidance and support. At the same time, however, I remain in touch with my humanity. I empathize (not sympathize) with individuals. I know they are hurting, and I know how uncomfortable and distressing hurt can be, I have had my own share of it.
The most powerful way in which I have discovered finding balance is through relationship. I believe strongly in the power of relationship. In my relationship with individuals, I remain emotionally open to them, affirming their need to feel what they feel, while at the same time guiding them in a direction that will bring them comfort. The direction I usual guide them to is within. Deep inside is where the capacity to heal ourselves already exist; it just has to be tapped into.
See also Spirituality and Our Emotions.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Mission of a Chaplain: Exploring the Possibilities
Religion is a structured and organized way of expressing our spirituality. Many go to church, synagogue, or temple in order to draw closer to the Holy. Religion is an important part of life because it does attempt to make sense of a life that can be very chaotic at times. The pain and hurt we feel can often times only be expressed and healed as we sit in the presence of our religion; our faith.
As a Baptist minister, I bring a particular spirituality to those I am present with. My faith is grounded in a God of possibilities and great potential. I believe in a God that hears the cries of those on the fringes. I believe that God will not abandon us in our hour of need, no matter what religion we practice. God can work beyond the confines of religion. There are other possible connections that we have with life that draw us toward the Holy, and get us in touch more fully with our spirituality. My mission, as a chaplain, is to explore some of the possibilities of spirituality beyond religion.
It is not uncommon to find me listening to others tell their story. They discuss their life, full of both pain and joy. Through their storytelling they begin to remember other difficult times and what got them through those times. They talk about the support of their family and friends, about their pets, music, walks they have taken, food they love, and books they have read. In one instance, I learned about the love of baseball a gentleman had. He could not talk much, so the visits entailed us sitting in his room, mostly in silence, watching baseball games.
I do not want to discount the importance of religion in our lives. Religion is vital. It is vital to most of those I come into contact with. I am amazed by the power of a prayer. I have witnessed more than one person be in horrible pain, but upon hearing the meditative words of a prayer find relaxation and comfort. Prayer, no matter your religion, connects us deeply with our self; for it is deep within we find the Holy One.
When spirituality is thought of in greater terms than my religion, then working with people who do not have a particular connection to a religion does not pose a problem. There are many other possibilities that can be explored. In fact, with this approach to care, I have discovered some amazing beliefs in people they were too afraid to share because they thought they were “weird.” The miracle that happens here is the movement of an isolated individual into community. The movement of individual out of isolation and into community is my ultimate mission as a chaplain. There is not a whole lot that brings me greater joy, except for maybe my wife and daughter.
As a Baptist minister, I bring a particular spirituality to those I am present with. My faith is grounded in a God of possibilities and great potential. I believe in a God that hears the cries of those on the fringes. I believe that God will not abandon us in our hour of need, no matter what religion we practice. God can work beyond the confines of religion. There are other possible connections that we have with life that draw us toward the Holy, and get us in touch more fully with our spirituality. My mission, as a chaplain, is to explore some of the possibilities of spirituality beyond religion.
It is not uncommon to find me listening to others tell their story. They discuss their life, full of both pain and joy. Through their storytelling they begin to remember other difficult times and what got them through those times. They talk about the support of their family and friends, about their pets, music, walks they have taken, food they love, and books they have read. In one instance, I learned about the love of baseball a gentleman had. He could not talk much, so the visits entailed us sitting in his room, mostly in silence, watching baseball games.
I do not want to discount the importance of religion in our lives. Religion is vital. It is vital to most of those I come into contact with. I am amazed by the power of a prayer. I have witnessed more than one person be in horrible pain, but upon hearing the meditative words of a prayer find relaxation and comfort. Prayer, no matter your religion, connects us deeply with our self; for it is deep within we find the Holy One.
When spirituality is thought of in greater terms than my religion, then working with people who do not have a particular connection to a religion does not pose a problem. There are many other possibilities that can be explored. In fact, with this approach to care, I have discovered some amazing beliefs in people they were too afraid to share because they thought they were “weird.” The miracle that happens here is the movement of an isolated individual into community. The movement of individual out of isolation and into community is my ultimate mission as a chaplain. There is not a whole lot that brings me greater joy, except for maybe my wife and daughter.
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