The Secret of Chaplaincy

The Secret of Chaplaincy

Like any new chaplain, Nancy, who got talked into volunteering as a hospital chaplain, believed at first that it was her job to “give something” to the patients, and to get nothing back. She understood what the teacher told her in the volunteer chaplains' class – about getting more out of it than they put into it – but it seemed unlikely. It’s hard to believe that a healthy, educated, faithful, and selfless chaplain is ever going to get anything out of visiting the sick and dying. Once on the job, Nancy was surprised that she actually did get more out of it than she ever put in. God’s funny that way. When it comes to being of service to others, we might approach it in a lordly manner, with an affected aristocratic accent, saying, “See what glorious gifts I have to give to you!” What happens is the opposite. The proud among chaplains are quickly humbled by the honesty, the struggle, the love, loneliness, fear, hope, denial, and all the rest that goes along with being seriously ill. God gives the chaplains gifts beyond compare – moments of truth, of loss, of entry into the pain and love of families, and more. Here’s a secret of hospital chaplaincy, and of the spiritual life in general – the more you give, the greater the spiritual reward.

Let’s Pray: Dear God, take us to those places where You want us to be, even when we wish we did not have to go, and, once there, teach us selflessness; teach us to help while seeking to expect nothing in return. Amen.

Today’s Thought Is: Give, expect nothing, and gain reward. Give, expect reward, and gain nothing.