Whether I make a formal list of New Year’s resolutions, I always have a few lurking in the back of my mind. When I’m healthy and things are going well, the resolutions tend to be of the ‘self-improvement variety—eat healthy, exercise, be nice to the cat (I don’t have a cat, so that’s an easy one).
But what about those who are sick or who are in the midst of painful life happenings? What might their resolutions be? No, no, that’s not the question I need to ask or answer.
My question has got to be, “What can I do for them?” It’s pretty clear to me that I can’t solve their problems, but I can be present to them in whatever way seems appropriate. Visiting, leaving a meal, telephoning, emailing, sending a card are all possibilities. But maybe they don’t need or even want my physical presence.
There’s always prayer, no matter what else I might do. Praying that the peace of God surround them; praying for the highest good, whatever that might be; praying God’s light shine in their midst—we each have our own language for our prayer. I try to keep mine simple and not tell God what to do. How about “Thy will be done”? What’s important is to ‘just do it’.
But what about those who are sick or who are in the midst of painful life happenings? What might their resolutions be? No, no, that’s not the question I need to ask or answer.
My question has got to be, “What can I do for them?” It’s pretty clear to me that I can’t solve their problems, but I can be present to them in whatever way seems appropriate. Visiting, leaving a meal, telephoning, emailing, sending a card are all possibilities. But maybe they don’t need or even want my physical presence.
There’s always prayer, no matter what else I might do. Praying that the peace of God surround them; praying for the highest good, whatever that might be; praying God’s light shine in their midst—we each have our own language for our prayer. I try to keep mine simple and not tell God what to do. How about “Thy will be done”? What’s important is to ‘just do it’.
RSS Feed