This week’s interview from “The Life of Meaning” is from a physician, Dr. Rachel Remen. Her mission emerges from her life experience with a chronic debilitating disorder. Like many who have carried a great burden, her life experience is profoundly molded into her message. Opening remarks says she “believes physicians can take part in healing the spirit as well as the flesh.” She says people “become larger and live deeper . . . and all those around you become larger people . . . as well.”
I remember a time when I was a new Christian—probably the most spiritual time in my life. I came to my new faith as a 30 year old but I came as if I were a child attending to each life experience with new eyes. It was at that time my mother had a massive stroke. This was my first experience of having a God to turn to and a congregation of Christians praying for our family. I experienced an amazing grace as I walked through a dark time in relative peace.
As my mother’s recovery was protracted over time she had multiple major setbacks. I remember walking in to see her one day and learning of a new painful discomfort she was experiencing. My emotional reaction was one that made me feel as though I couldn’t take anymore. I cried out to God, “How can I stand this—how can you [God] allow these things to happen to this precious helpless woman.” I experienced the miracle of grace and a peace that transcended my horror. God impressed on me that the grace to tolerate the affliction was being given to my mother. I would be the recipient of a different kind of grace. In that moment I trusted that she was being cared for by God who would give her grace. I had access to the grace to do my part as a loving and attentive daughter.
Our author talks about her grandfather who was an Orthodox Rabbi and a student of kabalah, that she describes as a mystical branch of Judaism that sees God in the center of all things including the day-to-day. She says “for Grandpa, the world was a constant dialogue, a constant learning process, a constant uncovering of the holiness. “ My impression as I read was the holiness is an entity alive and invites us to become part of the essence of all that is happening around us.
It makes me think of the spiritual phrase “in the now.” I’ve heard it said that “the now” is all that we really have. I’m so rarely in the now. My mind is always busy thinking about what happened today, or in the past, or what to do next for tomorrow. With effort I can reflect the present now, of being in the moment, and reacquaint myself with the a grace that comes from the presence of holiness.
Remen also contrasts the differences between healing and curing. Witnessing a loved one go through an incurable illness or chronic debilitating disease brings home the realization that there may not be a cure. Coming to the realization that there can still be healing brings us to a “larger” point of view. My mother never regained her previous level of functioning. In many ways the Mom I knew was gone. But the new mom was priceless and delightful. She continued to be in the world in her lessened capacity, with cheerfulness, a loving heart and most of all a sense of humor. She was not cured but she was surely healed.
Think of some people or times when you have experienced or seen that transcendent grace in a difficult situation. Spend some time being in the now, acknowledging the holiness in the everyday. Look forward to hearing what you all have to say on Sunday.
I remember a time when I was a new Christian—probably the most spiritual time in my life. I came to my new faith as a 30 year old but I came as if I were a child attending to each life experience with new eyes. It was at that time my mother had a massive stroke. This was my first experience of having a God to turn to and a congregation of Christians praying for our family. I experienced an amazing grace as I walked through a dark time in relative peace.
As my mother’s recovery was protracted over time she had multiple major setbacks. I remember walking in to see her one day and learning of a new painful discomfort she was experiencing. My emotional reaction was one that made me feel as though I couldn’t take anymore. I cried out to God, “How can I stand this—how can you [God] allow these things to happen to this precious helpless woman.” I experienced the miracle of grace and a peace that transcended my horror. God impressed on me that the grace to tolerate the affliction was being given to my mother. I would be the recipient of a different kind of grace. In that moment I trusted that she was being cared for by God who would give her grace. I had access to the grace to do my part as a loving and attentive daughter.
Our author talks about her grandfather who was an Orthodox Rabbi and a student of kabalah, that she describes as a mystical branch of Judaism that sees God in the center of all things including the day-to-day. She says “for Grandpa, the world was a constant dialogue, a constant learning process, a constant uncovering of the holiness. “ My impression as I read was the holiness is an entity alive and invites us to become part of the essence of all that is happening around us.
It makes me think of the spiritual phrase “in the now.” I’ve heard it said that “the now” is all that we really have. I’m so rarely in the now. My mind is always busy thinking about what happened today, or in the past, or what to do next for tomorrow. With effort I can reflect the present now, of being in the moment, and reacquaint myself with the a grace that comes from the presence of holiness.
Remen also contrasts the differences between healing and curing. Witnessing a loved one go through an incurable illness or chronic debilitating disease brings home the realization that there may not be a cure. Coming to the realization that there can still be healing brings us to a “larger” point of view. My mother never regained her previous level of functioning. In many ways the Mom I knew was gone. But the new mom was priceless and delightful. She continued to be in the world in her lessened capacity, with cheerfulness, a loving heart and most of all a sense of humor. She was not cured but she was surely healed.
Think of some people or times when you have experienced or seen that transcendent grace in a difficult situation. Spend some time being in the now, acknowledging the holiness in the everyday. Look forward to hearing what you all have to say on Sunday.
Sandra Morton for Terra Incognita
Test
ReplyDeleteOkay I forgot Jesus. Jesus did not simply cure. This may be the point Remem is making to her fellow physcians. In New Testament times, the sick were ostracized and not allowed in community. Jesus' healings were of flesh and spirit. The healed were allowed back in community and the the flow of life.
ReplyDeleteWho are the ostracized at First? Yes, the folks who come for the community missons outreach springs to mind. But what about those around us that present a challenge of patience and tolerance? Um, that to me is the micro message. Tell me me what you think.