“… but through love serve one another.” –Galatians 5:13
This week marks the seventh anniversary of one of the most life-changing events I’ve ever experienced.
It started out with little fanfare on a Sunday. My husband traveled to Alabama to speak for camp meeting, and I remained at home with our children, ages 4 and 2. I remember feeling unwell that Monday evening, a little weak, and chalked it up to the gradual increase in tiredness from taking care of our little ones.
That evening when my husband called to check in, I shared that, while I wasn’t feeling well, I felt sure that balanced meals, hydration and rest would soon have me feeling much better.
By Wednesday, sitting still was my favorite position, because I began to feel lightheaded when standing. Walking around campus became tiring, and I was perplexed that I couldn’t figure out what was happening to me. I shared my symptoms with my coworkers, and they began to scour the Internet and reach out to friends to try and help me solve this mystery.
By Thursday, I toyed with the idea of going to the Emergency Department, yet talked myself out of it because of the myriad things I needed to do at work and at home. I didn’t have the time to investigate something that I was sure would soon pass.
That evening, when I took our son to soccer practice, I accepted the help of a student who observed that I needed some assistance getting all the paraphernalia we needed across the field. A few minutes after arriving at our practice area, one of the moms scolded me for not asking for support by carpooling the kids, since she knew that my husband was out of town. Without hesitation, I made the decision to take her up on the offer and returned home. On the way, I reached out to a few friends to come over and aid me with the children, so that I could go to bed. The next 36 hours were filled with a flurry of activities as my community responded with love, care, confrontation and support.
As individuals who work in the caring professions, we are well acquainted with the joy and perhaps sense of purpose we receive when we serve others. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, encouraging them to remember that they are called to live in the freedom that comes from Jesus. This liberty should be celebrated and shown in the decision to serve one another.
Why then is it so difficult for us to be on the receiving end of service?
Perhaps our unwillingness to be served by others is linked to our need to do for ourselves. But our ability to receive from others should be informed by God’s generous gift of salvation through Jesus. Our experience with this gift, Paul states, should transform us into loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.
My three friends all arrived at my house around the same time. One of them told me — above my strident protests — that I had to go to the Emergency Department. The others made arrangements for our children and contacted my husband. I spent 24 hours at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where I received loving care from the medical staff as well as a pacemaker. I’m alive today because of their willingness to serve me and my willingness, finally, to accept their care.
Whom do you need to confront this week about taking care of themselves? Or will you take some time to make that appointment to check out the discomfort you’ve been feeling? Is there anyone you have observed who may be in need of prayer, a hug or a listening ear?
We each play an integral part in the mission of Loma Linda University Health. Let us remember to serve and be served by one another.
—Dilys Brooks, MDiv, is associate campus chaplain for Loma Linda University.