My friend, Rev. Christine, whom I first met several years ago when she was the speaker at my women’s networking group has been an inspiration to me since the beginning. She has faith and belief even in the hardest of times. Her dear husband, Laurence has had difficult health problems including a blood disorder, leukemia and now a transplant. Of course, this has meant Christine and Laurence have spent much of the past two years in an out of the hospital. Since the beginning, Christine has chronicled the ups and downs of this journey on her blog Wholeness Revealed. What resonates when you read it is how important prayer, love and faith is for Christine and Laurence. She says on her blog, “Laurence and I have learned so much through this process. The practice of taking one day at a time. The power of prayer. The extraordinary healing presence of love.”
Last week, she included a Patient Care Tip on her blog and I asked her if I could share it on my blog as well, because it’s simple. “Patient Care Tip of the Week: The next time someone you know is in the hospital, please send cookies, brownies or treats. Your gift allows the patient to give to the staff. The goodwill created by your gift is immeasurable!” Back in the fall, I did bring some muffins to Christine so she could give them to the staff and it was a wonderful opportunity to help her in a small way.
Rev. Christine is the founding minister of Sacred Heart Ministries. Visit her blogs at Wholeness Revealed or Empowered Thoughts to be inspired by this courageous couple.
Finally, each time we attend synagogue, we take time to say a healing prayer for those that we know in our community who are ill. I attended this weekend and said a prayer for Laurence and two other people I know who needed healing prayers as well.
A Prayer
Mi sheberach avoteinu mekor habrakha l’imoteinu
May the source of strength
Who blessed the ones before us
Help us find courage to make our lives a blessing,
and let us say Amen.
Mi sheberach imoteinu mekor habrakha l’avoteinu
Bless those in need of healing with Refuah Shleima
The renewal of body
The renewal of spirit
and let us say Amen.
Mi Sheberach
May the One who blessed our ancestors, Sarah and Abraham, Rebecca and Isaac, Leah, Rachel and Jacob bless Laurence Green, along with all of the ill among us. Grant insight to those who bring healing, courage and faith to those who are sick, love and strength to us and to all who love them. God, let your spirit rest upon all who are ill and comfort them. May they and we soon know a time of complete healing, a healing of the body and a healing of the spirit and let us say: Amen.
1,000 Mitzvahs 