Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Recent Posts

About

Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

Days 332-333 – Comfort

Divine-comfort
    I arrived home from work last evening cold, vaguely uncomfortable and, in a word, down. I felt unable to respond to my wife's warm greeting and retreated into a dull silence. Sitting down near the cave of a darkened fireplace, I searched for comfort and waited for the angel of relief. 

   Maybe we don't always have to be happy, I told myself again as I have so many times before. Maybe it's okay to sit alone in the valley of the shadow.  

   Adults are supposed to be able to self-diagnose dark moods and administer quick healing. Psychiatrists advise us to rise from gloom, move around, search the world for signs of hope. When we can't find relief, medication is a swallow away. The happy world has little tolerance for people who can't find the sun.

   December's dawn holds back her entrance until most of us have arisen. Her sky darkens early. Inspiring quotes and pictures of flowers may bring no relief to those whose hearts have fallen silent in such a season. 

   Where may we find comfort when hope seems as distant as our childhood? 

   Finally, I began to write this note to you. I titled it "Comfort" because hope, for me, lives in relationship. For me, comfort is soft, feminine. Most of the Journal's readers are women just as most caregivers are women. Whether mothers or not, women own a unique understanding of compassion. They know that Love is most clearly personified in a Mother's love.  

   Even though you are out of my view, three years of writing these "letters" (and seeing the responses from some) tells me that you are out there. We seek a similar land. We want to reside in a place where we are loved whether or not we are smiling. We want to find strength from each other so that we may offer hope and comfort to others.     

   As the earth hardens may our hearts soften so that God may give us a comfort beyond what the world can offer. As we both walk this earth, offering healing when we can, may we offer loving presence to each other.   

   There is a divine closeness in caregiving. There is no greater comfort than that offered by Love. 

-Erie Chapman  

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6 responses to “Days 332-333 – Comfort”

  1. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    Thank you for reaching out to us, Erie. Hope, comfort, love, acceptance…and when the day is done, isn’t it all that really matters? Our relationships and being there for one another. Yes, may our friendship and Love hold each other up in times of need, so we know in our heart of hearts that we are not alone but held up in community and fellowship.
    May it help you to know….really know, that you are loved. I think of how many caregivers lives (myself included) that you have/are transforming each day with your kind words of love, friendship and encouragement. It may be an invisible force but it is very powerful one.
    You offer a gentle and loving prayer, “As the earth hardens may our hearts soften so that God may give us a comfort beyond what the world can offer.” Comfort whether or not we are in the sun, whether or not we are smiling, there one for another.
    It’s true, a mother’s love is the closest thing to unconditional love that I can imagine. I offer this song to you.
    Let it Be
    ~By John Lennon and Paul McCartney
    When I find myself in times of trouble
    Mother Mary comes to me
    Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
    And in my hour of darkness
    She is standing right in front of me
    Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
    Let it be, let it be.
    Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
    And when the broken hearted people
    Living in the world agree,
    There will be an answer, let it be.
    For though they may be parted there is
    Still a chance that they will see
    There will be an answer, let it be.
    Let it be, let it be.
    There will be an answer, let it be.
    And when the night is cloudy,
    There is still a light that shines on me,
    Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
    I wake up to the sound of music
    Mother Mary comes to me
    Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
    Let it be, let it be.
    There will be an answer, let it be.
    Let it be, let it be,
    Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

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  2. Karen York Avatar
    Karen York

    And though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear nothing, for love is in me. Love is….me.
    You are love and your are loved. My hope is that you feel surrounded by it when you’re in the darker places. Your life-giving ministry has brought hope and comfort to so many. Thank you for this beautiful note today.

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  3. Julie Laverdiere Avatar
    Julie Laverdiere

    I understand about the dark mood, just know that we are here for you and appreciate your words of comfort and love. It is a bright spot in my day. Thank you for being here for us.

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  4. Diana Gallaher Avatar
    Diana Gallaher

    I knew I needed to be sure and run this morning. I needed the few minutes I would feel better after the run. So I fought the inertia and resistence and made it out the door.
    I love the cold when I am running (actually my “run” is not even a fast walk these days).
    I had a house full of relatives from Wednesday through Sunday afternoon. I am missing everyone, including each of you.

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  5. Victoria Facey Avatar
    Victoria Facey

    Erie, I loved reading the part you wrote about comfort feeling feminine. A warm night at home while relaxing reminds me of nesting in my grandmother’s lap.
    I retreat during this time of year; perhaps it’s the weather, or the shorter days. But as soon as December hits, I begin to look at the calendar to find the date when time changes again and we have a second chance at the new spring…

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  6. Beverly Grant Avatar
    Beverly Grant

    Yesterday was a frustrating day for me as well, but this morning, despite the gloomy weather, a new beginning is possible. Thank you Erie for your honesty and sincerity. We can all learn from it and hold each other up above the gloom. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” Phillipians 4:6.

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