Prayer for All People

I lift up to you, our Eternal and Loving God, in prayer:

The lost and all who go searching for them, the broken and wounded, and the merciful who tend to them.

The frightened souls and those who advocate for them;

all nations and their advisers who have influence over them.

The diverse peoples of the world and all who protect the smallest and the weakest, 

those involved in warring regions, and for the peacemakers who try to bring a just reconciliation.

We pray:

For the hungry millions and for the homeless, for refugees;

and for all who do their best to provide for their needs.

 For the physically challenged, the oppressed, the addicted;

 and each clinic, advocate and therapist that offers respect and hope.

For the diseased, the mentally ill; and we ask for God's tender loving care of them and encouragement for those who patiently work for their wellbeing.

For the dying and for those who comfort them, and we pray for those grieving the loss of loved ones.

For the unemployed and all who despair with economic problems. 

Inspire those of us who can be of help to boldly take others under our wings.

For the church in its many denominations and congregations. 

May we together present a strong armor to the world protecting the weak, providing for the poor, lifting up the downtrodden, and doing justice with mercy and kindness.  May we channel God's love through all our words and actions.

Thank you Lord for challenging us to be more than we think we can be. Help us be alert to the inspiration of your Spirit and remember to pray at all times. As we draw strength from your power may we stand firm against all that can corrupt your creation.  

Thank you for the reassurance that you deeply love each one of us. 

In Christ's name we pray. Amen

A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine

 “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

Last weekend a staff member commented that it was good to hear laughter in the congregation during the service. She believes it attracts more people to our church when they hear how happy and fun we are. I agree with her! When we count our blessings here at PCM we have lots to be thankful for and show it with joyful laughter.

"The power of humor can transform heads and hearts," said Michael Farrell, author and publisher. He believes God gave us a whole system of facial muscles designed just for laughing; so we must use them! We are created to laugh! Yet, life is a mix of tragedy and comedy. Soren Kierkegaard wrote: “Wherever there is life there is contradiction and wherever there is contradiction the comical is present.”

As our church seeks to connect more people to Jesus Christ, we can do so with our facial muscles to greet visitors and old friends with smiles and laughter. People are automatically attracted to laughter when it is positively based on God’s good humor. Plus, a light-hearted look at life can give us hope and optimism in times of trouble.

God had a plan when human creation was blessed with the ability to laugh. Laughter lowers your blood pressure, improves your digestion, and increases the serotonin in your brain that enhances your mood. One of my favorite sounds is a baby’s belly laugh when playing peek-a-boo. I find it impossible to not laugh along with the baby I hear laughing. Humor is contagious! (I can't help but laugh when I look at this photo of my son, Ian, who was laughing at me when I took this picture.)

As a Psychiatric Nurse Therapist/Pastor, I must share with you more of the mental health benefits of humor. Laughter adds joy and zest to life, eases anxiety and fear, relieves stress, improves mood, and enhances resilience. A dose of laughter is important to have each day. Look up a new joke-a-day on the internet and start your day with a laugh. Share the good medicine by making one of your daily goals to make another person laugh heartily and positively.

Strive to see the funny side of tension, disagreements, disappointments, or surprising changes in plans. Marriage counselors say that one of the key qualities to a successful marriage is when one of the couple is able to step back and diffuse an argument with genuine positive laughter or lightheartedness. Not to ignore the problem, but to give a new perspective on it that changes the tone from hopeless to hopeful.

God created us to enjoy three L’s:  to laugh and love and live together. Angela Macnamara suggests it is best to seek the lighter side of life in all circumstances. She said, “There is no period of life that does not have its own silver lining.”

As we become more “silver,” over time, let us keep the gift of laughter active to enhance our faith and mental health status as we respond to the contradictions and calamities of life on earth. (For more on the health benefits of laughter see: http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm)

Your Image of God is Created in You and Creates You

Hand of God Nebula image by NASA/CXC/SAO/P.Slane, et al.

Forgiveness was the theme for a week of my Interdisciplinary Approaches to Trauma seminar this semester at Princeton Theological Seminary. One particular article described the parental influences on a child’s religious perspectives. How we see God (or the image of God we carry around with us) is greatly influenced by our relationships with our parents or other caretakers growing up.

With this in mind, I discovered this quote from Albert Einstein who said, “I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation and is but a reflection of human frailty.” He added, “God may be subtle but he isn’t mean."
                                              
How does this perspective on God reflect the influence Einstein’s significant role models had on his development as his image of God was being created? 
                                                    
Richard Rohr, a Franciscan friar who writes a daily devotional for his Center for Action and Contemplation said, “Your image of God, your operative image of God --  lives in a symbiotic relationship with your soul and CREATES what you become. Loving people, forgiving people have always encountered (or perceived) God as a loving and forgiving God. Cynical people are cynical about the very possibility of a coherent loving center to the universe.” 

Ponder this scripture: Psalm 103: 1-5 -- “Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits; who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfied you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
                                                                          
2 questions for your soul to contemplate: 1) How do these words align with the image of God that continues to create you? 2) How does your life show this image of God to the world?

Making Summer a Time of Rejuvenation

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

(Psalm 29:11 NIV)

When we think of summer we may think only those who get to lounge on the shore or go on a tour of some exotic place are truly enjoying summertime and having a summer vacation. Sadly church attendance tends to slump in the summer because of this expectation that one needs to “get away” or “take a break.” But there are many ways to take “mini-vacations” right here that can rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit – in healthier ways without having to go away.

Hebrews 10: 24-25 tells us to keep coming to church even in the summertime: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I suggest approaching summer differently this year, with healthy Christian living that can rejuvenate and give you rest without having to go anywhere and spend money. Then donate the money you saved to a good cause like our PCM Outreach programs. By doing so you will be helping others rejuvenate through food, clothing, or by participating in mission trips like the Foundation for Peace trip serving those in the Dominican Republic.

We are instructed to: “Have no anxiety about ANYTHING but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” (from Philippians 4:8-7) 

When I am stressed I consider the passage above as a command from God. The scripture doesn’t say, “Maybe if you pray you will feel less stressed.” It says first to have no anxiety about anything. This is stated as if it is a sin to be anxious. We are told to give up everything to God gratefully. And the Peace of God “will” (it doesn’t say “possibly”) we are guaranteed that God’s peace will guard our hearts and our minds as we follow the ways of Jesus. John 10: 10 also reminds us that Jesus came so we can have life abundantly. His ways show us how to be healthy in our living in community with others and in our relationship with God. 

A summertime rejuvenation plan is: 1. Keep coming to church. 2.To prevent feeling stressed, take “mini-vacations” (even in the car or plane) and Pray, Pray, Pray. Learn the Centering Prayer method used in the study of resiliency last Advent. (Nearly 100% of our PCM study participants improved their Resiliency status with just 20 minutes of “resting in God” each day for six weeks!) 3. Learn the ways of Jesus for faith and health. And feel God’s peace rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. May you have a blessed summertime! See you at church! 

Learning About Resilience in Haiti

As the tears ran down my cheeks, I watched them drop to the dusty ground. Upon arrival to this village I could no longer contain my sadness in seeing the overwhelmingly impoverished living conditions. Our medical team of nurses and other volunteers stood in a big circle holding hands with the Haitian people and children of the Vilaj Kanes near the Lake Azuei, a salt lake in the center of Haiti.  In an effort to hide my tears I didn’t release my hands from the circle.  I just bowed my head low and watched them hit the dirt until the prayer was finished. Then I jumped up into the back of our tap tap  (open air bus) parked nearby to find a tissue. Soon I would be asked to greet the crowd on behalf of our Presbyterian Church in Morristown and the Foundation for Peace. So I had to pull myself together.

My tears surprised me because I normally do not cry when I am in the presence of the people I came to care for. As a psychiatric nurse therapist and a pastor, I have witnessed many sad situations. But the overtly poor condition of these children, the primitive dirt floor shacks where they lived, and the sparse barren land surrounding them was clear evidence of their desperate poverty.

At 10am, the hot sun mixed with the humidity coming off the lake created a tropical atmosphere. The only sheltered place available for the free medical clinic was under the one large shade tree in the center of the village. Twelve University of Pennsylvania graduate nurse practitioner students and the Foundation for Peace, Haitian and US team members spent some time shaking hands and introducing ourselves to the kids and adults who were waiting for us to arrive. We played with them by blowing bubbles for the kids to jump up and pop. And we let them touch our stethoscopes and gloves as a way of warming them up to the idea of being examined by these strange white nurses.

After singing a few hymns in Creole and saying a prayer of thanks for this opportunity to be with our brothers and sisters in our global family in Haiti, I felt spiritually more at peace.  This was our third medical clinic of the week and we came prepared to care for whatever need came forward to the best of our abilities. I was so proud to be a nurse/pastor among this team of graduate nurses who never complained about the hard work of providing free healthcare in desperately poor communities almost every day of our trip to Haiti. 

As the nurse practitioners set up mini open air exam areas with a few card tables and chairs, the rest of the team opened the suitcases full of medicines and wound care supplies and created a “pharmacy area” with two wooden benches. Then the Haitian pastor-leader of our group, Pastor Valentin, began to call people up to the designated intake area.

The people of Kanes watched all of this activity patiently and understood that they would all depart with vitamins, anti-parasitics, or other medicines as needed. Each family unit also would receive a bag containing beans, rice and cooking oil.

Each community we were sent to by the Foundation for Peace had little to no access to healthcare prior to our arrival. But this Village Kanes was suffering the most of all. Many of the children were covered with bug bites probably acquired from sleeping on the dirt floors in their little huts.  Some of the children were extremely weak due to a lack of water and food. Three infants with high temperatures needed rehydration immediately upon arrival to our clinic.

A few months prior to this clinic the Foundation for Peace (FFP) staff had discovered this fishing village was unable to fish due to broken fishing boats. Now with help from the FFP, they are starting to fish again; but the time of desperation when they had lost their ability to fish took a toll on their spirits and on their bodies. Many seemed depressed and ill with parasites, body aches, and other signs of malnutrition.

So where does one start working in partnership with a group when confronted by a place with such overwhelming need? You look for signs of hope and start there. The goal is to empower them to build upon the strengths they already have.

At the end of the day I found a group of the healthy looking kids swimming in the lake near the fishing boats. One little girl in a blue dress grabbed my hand as I walked toward the water. She had a huge smile on her face and spoke a few words of English.  When she beckoned me to go for a swim with her and some of the other kids already in the water, I quickly caught her attractive smile on camera.

Her name is Adrienne. And she gave me hope for the Vilaj Kanes. Adrienne’s resilience shines out through her smile, and her clever engaging personality.

Although these children have many challenges, they have advantages our children lack as US families become more isolated inside large high tech homes. Their village is a cohesive community that cooperates, plays and works together. Their care for each other was demonstrated by the way it was nearly impossible to distinguish blood relative from neighbor as they came forward in the medical clinic as “families” with each other’s children. We discovered mothers were breastfeeding one another’s babies. They cared for all the children as their own. No one family had a shack much larger than the other. And as we handed out the food, it became clear that this attitude of sharing all their resources was the key to this village’s survival. All of the food would be shared among the village rather than kept by just one family.

In contrast to the overwhelmingly sad feelings I experienced upon arrival at this beautiful lakeside Haitian village, I departed with a sense of hope that by working together in partnership they can be empowered by building upon their strengths: community cohesiveness, deep abiding faith in God’s love and care for them, compassion for one another; and their strength of resilience that is clearly within those who have endured many years of hardships.

I came away with a blessed realization that Americans have much to learn from the Haitian people about mutual care, cooperation, and faith for the development of resilience within our own communities. I look forward to returning to Village Kanes in the Fall to learn more from these resilient Haitian people.

Sharing my Haiti Devotional Guide by Pastor Cindy

Medical Mission Trip - May 3-10^th 2012

This is why we go….

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you do for one of the least of these, you do for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Suggestions for using this devotional:

1.     Make time every day to read through this in the morning and ponder how the scriptures relate to your work throughout the day.

2.     Take time to let the words of God speak to you through these words in print, through reading the whole chapter where these verses are from, and through listening to God’s spirit speaking to you in silent prayer.

3.     Each evening, jot down a few thoughts about something you learned, a person you met, someone you want to remember and pray for at home.

MAY THIS DEVOTIONAL BE A BLESSING  FOR YOU AS YOU SEEK TO SERVE, HEAL, AND BRING HOPE TO THOSE IN NEED….

Here is a prayer of blessing to ponder as you begin your work in Haiti:

May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships so that you may seek truth boldly and love deeply within your heart.

May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world (Haiti), so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator, Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide, be with you and remain with you, this day and forever more. Amen

The team who read this devotional daily.

Day One:

Deuteronomy 31:8   The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; he will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Philippians 4:6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

What feelings do you have starting out this trip? Such a beautiful country from the air! The closer to the ground we get the more we can see the tent cities and the impoverished way of striving to survive. Write down at least 3 things you are pondering today. Take note of names of all you will be living with this week.  1. Excited! 2. Feels weird to get upgraded to first class when going on a mission trip to Haiti. 3. Hoping my traveling companion, church member, Yoga instructor, Susan, has a good trip since she is trusting me in this!

Your first day is full of excitement and exhaustion both emotionally and physically. May you rest well this evening and ponder this scripture assurance to give you strength and peace for tomorrow.

Joshua 1:9   Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Loving God, we thank you for our safe travels this day. May I be a blessing to all I meet and may our brothers and sisters in Haiti sense your love through me. Hear my prayer requests this day: for the people we are about to meet at the medical clinics. …………….. Let me listen to your message for me as I pray: trust in me. Be still, be at peace. Amen

Day Two:

Psalm 34:1  I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.

Now that you are settled in your new home for the week, what have you learned about Haitian people already? They make wonderful chicken, beans, & rice, the fruit is amazing! And they have beautiful smiles! Our guides/shepherds are taking great care of us. Riding in a TapTap is fun! This country is struggling to deal with an overwhelming problem of poverty and lack of basic needs being met. Yet, there is much hope and the people we meet are so grateful we have come to see them and their beautiful country. They deserve much respect for their strength and for their hospitality to strangers.

What are your goals for this week besides learning cross-cultural healthcare skills? Learning all I can about the differences and similarities between Haiti people  and the Dominicans that I know so well from previous trips.

Ponder the following verses and consider the importance of keeping your focus on how Jesus would respond to all you meet -- including your house-mates.

Psalm 145:18,19  You, LORD, are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth. You satisfy the desire of those who fear you; you hear their cry and save them.

My faith helped me today when: I was hot and tired and wanted the last patient to come through the clinic faster. Prayed that we can see all who showed up and we did.

I will always remember: The little boy,  I gave my FFP visor to so he would keep the scalp bandages in place.

Dear God, keep my spirits up as we deal with the heat and pressures of helping those who have little or no access to healthcare. Help me understand the desperate situations I see and seek to make a difference however I am able. Remind me that a smile and loving attention goes a long way in giving hope. Help me to pray when I need your strength to endure. Amen

Journal notes: Thankful for healthcare in the US and for a place to sleep that doesn't have chickens and dogs making noises all night long. There is something we miss in the US when we no longer live our lives outdoors  simply being with people all day, and spending time in a village where they all know each other.

Day Three

Jeremiah 32:41  I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in the land with all my heart and soul.

God created each of us to feel “good” when we help others. It is a blessing to be a blessing and physiologically the brain and circulation are improved by helping others. How did you feel today after giving of yourself? Thankful to be on the giving end. It takes great humility to be on the receiving end. What would you like to remember about this day? Worship under a "Tree of Life" felt closer to God and each other. Visited a hand pumping water well like used in the olden times in the US. They are so thankful to have clean water! We take it for granted. What are you thankful for? The sermon about "Self-care: love your neighbor as yourself." Who that you have met and on your team do you want to lift up to God in prayer? All who are shepherding us. Today we went into downtown Port au Prince and they were very careful to stay close to us. But no problems. We even bought some handmade keepsakes from Haiti at a market.

Romans 5:1   Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Where did you find peace for your soul today? When we worshipped under the tree. Looking up into its gorgeous branches while listening to the singing of the people was heavenly! Did others help you with this? Yes, our Pastor Valentin, his wife and kids and  the whole community of Kwa Kok.

Almighty God, help us to focus on what we can do and not be overwhelmed by the great need here that seems impossible to heal. Give me good hope that you are working through me in obvious and mysterious ways. Help me to trust that I am where I am supposed to be doing your work to bring grace and love to all. Help me love as you love us. Amen

Journal notes: It is sad to see the ruins from the earthquake two years later still crumbling down....

Day Four

Romans 8:37  No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!

By this time on the trip you may be feeling tired of being in a group. If you live alone and typically can control your environment and schedule this kind of trip can be especially hard. How do you cope with the hardships of mission work? By now I am sleeping well because I am used to the bed and the sounds. Having less water in the shower makes showering take longer. But it reminds us how precious water to wash with is! Looking for things to be thankful for.....Not hard to find!

How do you deal with the temptations to judge others and devalue personal relationships when you are tired? Go away from the group for a little quiet time.

How does a focus on the way Jesus coped with stress help you cope? Yes, he prayed and had no fear. What de-stressing method do you use? Prayer, yoga, journaling, meditation, talking with a friend? All of the above....

Psalm 32:6  So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need; when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in, it will not reach them.

Everlasting Creator and Sustainer, help me cope with the fatigue that is setting in. Make me an instrument of your peace and strengthen my ability to be empathic towards others. Give me your comfort when I am sad, give me your wisdom when I am discerning the right decision to make and give me your peace that surpasses all understanding even in the midst of chaos. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen

Journal Notes: Learning some Creole! Bondje beni ou means God Bless you! Assisted a nurse at the Haitian Christian Mission Bandage up an accident victim who had a huge gash in his forehead. I admire this nurse very much and her ability to care for whatever comes into the clinic with no anxiety about it. Nurse Genines was so brave and peaceful while stitching up a terrible wound. She and I also worked together to help a young woman journalist from the US who came in with a concussion after being in a car accident.

Day Five

Ephesians 5:8   You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light.

The trip is coming to a close very soon. Before you know it you will be saying your goodbyes! What do you want to say or do for your new friends before you leave them? How do you want them to remember you? How will you remember them?

How have you been changed? Found I have an affinity for Haiti. I love the people and the countryside beauty.  What new understanding or “light” has been shown to you or on you that has helped you serve well during this time in Haiti? I have come to have more hope in human resilience after seeing the women carry so much weight on their heads and necks and the general perseverance of the people is so admirable! They show you how people can survive with very few resources and still have joy and care for others.

Loving Lord, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Thank you for shepherding us on our trip; for sustaining us and comforting us as we seek to be your hands and hearts of love. Show me how to use these remaining days to shine your light of care and love upon those most in need. Teach me what I am still to learn while I am here among your children in Haiti. Enlighten my mind to ways I may begin to share this experience when I return to the US. May I be an inspiration so others will care and want to help here in the future. With a heart full of thanks and praise, Amen.

Journal notes: I am so thankful I trusted the Spirit's lead to come to Haiti and to bring my friend Susan to teach Yoga to the graduate nurses as a self-care method - and to teach the patients in our medical clinics while they waited to be seen. All has been a true blessing and it has all gone very well!

Day Six
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." —John 10:10

The work of a nurse often brings holistic life in a way that no other profession is able. We are taught to look at the whole person, not just their disease. Nurses are skilled at enhancing the body, mind, and spiritual functioning of their patients. Psychological/spiritual healing and physical healing happen in concert with one another. How have you observed the power of your gifts and talents for healing at work here in Haiti? Where did you (by the grace of God) make a difference in another’s life?

How have you been changed/healed, made more whole, as a result of coming on this trip? I can see that I too have the resilience to go on mission trips to Haiti and it can be safe and inspiring at the same time! I will be back and in the meantime I have many new friends to pray for and remember.

             "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." — Ephesians 2:8,9

Eternal and Loving God, our rock and our salvation. We thank you for all we have experienced together and individually here in Haiti. We thank you for the wonderful family of Valentin who took such good care of us this past week. We thank you for the leadership of Carrie and all who shepherded this flock. And we thank you for the friendships we have made and the memorable times we have shared together. May I say my farewells in a way that honors my new friends with a sense of hope and joy.  Give me the words that express my heartfelt thanks and love. According to your will, bring me back to this place or elsewhere so that I can continue serving those in need with the additional skills I have attained during this trip. Amen

Journal notes: Leaving for the US today because I have to go back to finish some papers for my Doctorate in Ministry in Science and Theology. I can share this experience on my blog.

Day Seven

2^nd Corinthians 9: 12-15: "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, people will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!"

Thanks be to God for you and for your willing spirit and loving soul. May you feel God’s grace surround you and may the angels carry you home safely as they sing, “Well done good and faithful servant!”

I feel blessed to have met some of the Haitian people who have survived many more challenges than my life will ever have to deal with. I am so soft and lazy compared to the people of Haiti who possess much courage as they tackle the challenges of each new day. We were One when we smiled at one another, and in church we held hands and sang together as old friends do. I am glad to have had this chance to meet more of our global family and honored to serve them with the few skills I brought with me.

Keeping an Open Heart in Troubled Times

“Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12: 15) This verse is from a section in Romans that describes the “marks of a true Christian.” It is part of a section of Romans that proscribes how to be “in harmony” with others. As our world becomes entrenched in war after war, atrocity after atrocity, corruption and mistrust, these verses may seem impossible to follow. But consider how peaceful our world would be if every person had someone who was empathetically there with them, in joy and in sorrow. How different would our world become if each of us took it upon ourselves to find someone in need of empathic companionship and walked along their journey of life for awhile? Just imagine what a wonderful world it could be!

Walking alongside someone with love and showing your care by rejoicing or crying with them has the potential to change their whole lives! There are people in the world with no one to share their joys and their sorrows. As a result they may become hardened, hopeless, angry, and depressed. The next step in the downward spiral is often violence, on others or on themselves. And the spiraling of violence can have a traumatizing effect that ripples around the world.

Jesus is calling us to change the world by being open hearts in troubling times for one another. We are to answer the call to trust, love, and respect each other; to be the presence of Christ here on earth as much as we are able. We are NOT to conform to the hate and distrust in this world, but to show the transformative power of love and hope in the midst of darkness and evil.  A caring gesture is contagious and it can ripple around the world and multiply the love.

I just completed a Princeton seminar entitled: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Trauma. One of the readings included a paper by our professor, Dr. Deborah Hunsinger, entitled: “Keeping an Open Heart in Troubled Times: Self-empathy as a Christian Spiritual Practice.”  In this paper she describes ways to prepare our hearts and minds when we reach out to others with compassion. When we openly listen and feel deeply the pain of the other, we take some of the trauma onto ourselves. As a result it can take a toll on us as care-givers while helping to heal the one who shares their painful experience. To deal with this effect of “weeping with those who weep” Hunsinger suggests remembering that all compassion arises out of God’s love for the world and all therein. To remain in balance we must stay in touch with God about our own needs while being empathic towards the other.  Staying connected to this transcendent source of compassion (God) enables us to keep our hearts open in troubled times. 

I appreciate Dr. Hunsinger’s inspiration to practice self-empathy because without it, those who compassionately enter into the pain of another can be dragged down into a pit of despair. By taking on the burdens of another, we may lose hope for the world and distrust God’s promises. If we nurture ourselves by being aware of how the empathy towards another is affecting our own state of mind and spirit, then we can seek strength for ourselves allowing us to be instruments of peace.

Jesus demonstrated an awareness of his needs by going away regularly to pray, to reconnect with his Creator, sustainer, loving-parent God. So may you stay connected through prayer to the source of our strength and love as you “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep”.