Journal of Sacred Work

Today's meditation was written by Cathy Self, Senior Vice President for the Baptist Healing Trust.

  Frances Bernardone (1182-1226) is best known to us as St. Francis of Assisi, a man who experienced the Love of God in a deeply personal and lived reality. Once he stepped into the realm of God's infinite Love, Francis never turned away. His life became devoted to making Love manifest in this world, giving up for himself any privilege or possession. He gave to others what they needed most, the presence of Love. He once wrote, "I would not leave this earth until God promised me that my hands could always touch the face of anyone who suffered."

We are called to that same giving, the gift of the touch of Love for those who suffer. Yet we as caregivers may also suffer at the hand of fatigue, the unrelenting call of others for our time and attention, the loss of expectations unfulfilled. It is so tempting to long for ease, to look toward the end of the shift, the end of the day, the end of the week. St. Francis once said that within each of us are "wild forces," capable of turning the mills inside and filling the sacks "that feed even heaven." Love is persistent, will not let go. And don't those we serve need that most of all?

Today may be a day filled with challenges, inexorable cries, one more hand reaching out. If we pay attention we may feel the grip of fatigue in our faltering steps, the terror of fear holding us back. I leave you with the simple words of St. Francis as a place for quiet meditation. May his words remind us all to live Love, not fear!

IN ALL THINGS

It was easy to love God in all that

was beautiful.

The lessons of deeper knowledge, though, instructed me

to embrace God in all

things.