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 352-353 Moments of Grace

 “Sometimes, when I find myself in the grayness of life, beauty may arise as a startling Grace.” ~Candace Nagle

The above words written by Journal contributor Candace Nagle resonate, don't they?  She goes on to say, “It can be in the most mundane things, where miracles hide and wait to be discovered. Today it arrives in the quiet darkness of predawn, the weight against my side of my cat, Frankie, and the gentle sound of rain. The sweet beauty of this moment is filled with the Presence of God.”

I experienced one of these moments during a recent Thanksgiving visit with my son Lee.  It was late one evening and I had fallen asleep in my make shift bed on the living room couch. I startled awake  to find my son looming above me as I opened my eyes and gasped aloud, then we both laughed.

We began talking and our conversation traveled along a fascinating path from the cosmos to the evolution of life on earth. To witness my sons passion as he shared an illuminating story of the history of life's  unfolding was a Grace-filled moment for me. I felt as though I was listening to a young Joseph Campbell. The breath and depth of his understanding about the interrelatedness of life, from fish, to plants, to humans was extraordinary. I was grateful for the way he openly shared the beauty of his soul with me.

When I let go of my preconceived notions and expectations,  I may experience a sense of emptiness but  then a  spark of the Divine  surprises me.

I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.

-   Oliver Herford, I Heard a Bird Sing

                        Barryschristmascard 
The above watercolor is a Christmas card I made for a friend when I was seventeen years of age.  We reconnected last year and my friend still had this card. 

In this season of Advent, may we celebrate  the beauty of simple moments that may arise as a "startling Grace" to bless and affirm eachothers'  lives.

Liz Sorensen Wessel

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9 responses to “Days 352-353 Moments of Grace”

  1. Maria Doglio Avatar
    Maria Doglio

    Thank you Candace and Liz for your beautiful insights of Grace and sharing your personal moments.
    This was a beautiful “peace” to read on this dark and gray morning, the heavy clouded skies holding a promise of windy rain. I turned on the Christmas lights in the darkened living room, and lit a fire in the fire place while the dog did happy circles after coming in from the rain. I am often startled to find it’s the simple things that are abundant with grace.

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  2. Julie Laverdiere Avatar
    Julie Laverdiere

    I had an experience of grace today, seeing a young man agree to treatment for PTSD. I just met his family this morning, giving flu shots. We talked for a while, then came around to the topic of the VA. I heard his family’s concern about his well being. I asked if I could talk to him, and we were able to talk frankly about what has happened to him since Iraq. At first he was surprised to be talking to me, but the more we spoke, then more I was able to reassure him about obtaining treatment, and the healing. It truly was a grace-filled experience.

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  3. Maureen McDermott rsj Avatar
    Maureen McDermott rsj

    What a delightful reflection, Liz. Thank you and thanks to Candice for her sharing on Grace. Oh, when our hearts, minds and eyes are opened how we see the Divine in everything. May this week, as we lead up to Christmas, be graced with moments of being startled by Beauty, Life and Wonder.

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  4. Marily Avatar
    Marily

    Moments of grace surrounds us. Not one without ’cause it is within and around. During special days of our lives, shared with love ones and friends it’s intensified as well as during times of need, for assistance, comfort, or a prayer for a long lost classmate or someone’s brother…in critical condition we hold on tight, for it is by grace that we are saved, and live on.

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  5. ~liz Wessel Avatar
    ~liz Wessel

    “A Homespun Love”
    by Alicia Partnoy
    Because this humble and homespun love
    — just as you see it, simple, unadorned —
    is what keeps our feet on the ground,
    is what engenders the fruit of our nonconformity,
    and throws us a lifeboard amidst the shipwreck.
    Every so often our love blazes like thousands of stars,
    gets dressed up to go out and uncorks
    bottles of effervescence, cases of laughter.
    You see, every so often, when the moment is right,
    our love recalls that is it, like we are, a survivor.

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  6. Sue Avatar
    Sue

    Being that this is the Christmas season full of hussle and bussle, we got into the middle of it. We took Mom to Mangianno’s and to see the Andy Williams Christmas show. She looked radiant in her Christmas outfit. A shining white top and a dark pair of pants wearing the white crystal necklace that I had given her. She had her hair done special and the city girl came out of her. She loves the tall buildings and the crowds, even though she can not hear a thing when there are a lot of people around. Andy was fabulous. Where else can you go and there are a thousand people singing all the Christmas Carols together. It was awesome. There was not a more touching gift I could have given all of us for Mom’s birthday and Christmas than that evening. It was a moment of grace for all of us.My husband Bill was gracious. He held her as we had to take the stairs and up and down curbs..Grace….

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  7. candace nagle Avatar
    candace nagle

    This morning the rain is once again steadily drumming on my roof. There is a gentleness surrounding me and a feeling of safety. I have experienced so many grace-filled moments with family, friends, and in nature during this advent season…it is so rich. So I send out prayers now for all who are not so blessed but, for whatever reason, struggle and are suffering. “May all beings be happy. May all beings be at peace.” And I must add, help me, dear Lord, to “be an instrument of thy peace.” Like Judy, I hope to pay attention to another’s need when the moment presents…any moment we each could be the one that makes a difference in someone’s life…what a blessing to be used by the good is such a way.

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  8. erie chapman Avatar
    erie chapman

    Based on your lovely, simple painting, Liz, it’s clear that beauty bloomed early from your heart through your hands. Thanks for sharing your lovely encounter between mother and son.

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  9. Victoria Facey Avatar
    Victoria Facey

    What a heartwarming tale of mother and son. Liz, your reflection is perfect with the timing of our California rain. May we all find safe harbor under your trees!

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