Guest Speaker Reflection

Chaplaincy is about listening, which is one way to walk humbly with our God.  As soon as someone walks into a hospital, loss is suffered.  There may be a loss of independence, a loss of dignity, a sense of loss of choice, and even a loss of sleep!  Losses such as these result in spiritual distress and by actively listening to patients and their stories, often patients will experience relief, feel heard and cared for, and can find meaning in their experience.  So, as you meet with friends and family this week, practice listening.  Listen without judgment and listen without thinking about what you will say in response.  Your listening may give someone a release they have been longing for.  They may feel heard and seen in a way that is quite rare in these times.

Kathy Brown