Thursday July 9, 2020
Ann Tarlton
Serve
Church is Over, Let the Service Begin
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the word service has multiple meanings.... My favorite definition is "contribution to the welfare of others" .
For years I contemplated how could/would I use my God given talents in contributing to the welfare of others? What would my "service" look like? Hmmmm!
And then God spoke...... I was asked to volunteer as a chaplain in the Portsmouth Hospital. I accepted and for several months I walked the floors, visiting as many patients as I could comfortably fit into my schedule. I offered a chance to talk, I hoped to bring a smile and I left having prayed for/with the patient.
And then God spoke again...... I was asked if I would consider visiting patients in the Behavioral Health Unit of the hospital. This group is made up of people who are detoxing, recovering from failed suicide attempts, suffering from serious depression, anxiety, panic attacks and various mental illnesses.
And then God said...... "Have courage, I will be with you. This is to be your service on my behalf.". And so I entered the BHU. ....
I have been working on the BHU now for the last 4 years. I have heard and listened to unimaginable stories, broken hearts, lost souls, hopeless souls. And as my heart sat with all of these individuals, God has quietly, gently, lovingly shown me that We are all one, that We are all broken and, most importantly that We are all his beloved children. We are in this together!
So, I am not sure who is "contributing the most to the welfare of others" but my service to my "friends" in the BHU is to remind them that they are God's beloved children, that they are not alone, that there is always, somewhere, somehow room for hope. For as long as there is love in this world there is hope. WE are all one, ALL lives matter to God.
My prayer and hope is that God has spoken through me to my patients.... that through my good bye hug, each feels the strength of God's love, sees a glimmer of God's light and experiences some new found hope, for to serve is to love!
I know my patients have contributed to the welfare of my being, I pray my service has contributed to theirs.
In Peace,
Ann+