CommonSpirit Sacred Stories: Recent Episodes
CommonSpirit Sacred Stories
Sacred Stories convey ways the mission of CommonSpirit Health is being lived out by the gifted people within our ministry. We invite you to use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team or family. These stories are about the moments when the people of CommonSpirit Health find deeper meaning in their daily work. Read Sacred Stories or listen to the podcast to to inspire, comfort and reassure others.
Sacred Stories | Forgivenes“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” – Psalm 86:5
I can still remember my first visit with him as a hospice chaplain. My patient had recently learned he was dying and had chosen hospice care.
When I first met this tall but gentle giant I inquired about his life. He recounted his experiences as an infantry soldier in Vietnam. He served two tours to Vietnam and earned two bronze stars for heroism in battle. As he shared, his gaze shifted off into the distance; I could tell something was troubling him. My patient turned to me and asked with tears beginning to well up in his eyes, “Do you think God can forgive me for what I did in Vietnam?”
I felt tears begin to form in my eyes as I shared that I was also a part-time Army Reserve chaplain and a former enlisted soldier who fought in Afghanistan several years ago. I shared my own experience of healing and forgiveness. I shared the story of king David and the passage in Psalm 86:5, “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”
After I shared, my patient looked at me and stated, “I’ve been waiting since I came home from Vietnam to hear that. It feels good to be forgiven!” Before leaving, my patient showed me his medals from Vietnam and an article in the local paper, detailing his military service. As I departed, I asked if I could render him a salute. He humbly accepted my offer. He walked a little lighter and a bit taller that day and during the next several weeks before this gentle giant and American hero died with honor and forgiveness.
Submitted by Josiah Hoagland
Questions for Reflection
Reflect on a time that someone offered you forgiveness. How did that act of compassion change your perspective?
How might you extend grace or greater understanding to yourself?
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The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad moreAbout Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
Sacred Stories | Prayer Shawl“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” – Matthew 18:20
At our facility, we cared for Rod (name changed) for a couple of decades, as he endured many surgeries and procedures.
Rod finally decided his body could no longer fight, and he requested comfort care. So many on our staff had worked with Rod and knew him. He had become part of our hospital family, and our staff was grieving.
To allow time for our staff to say goodbye to Rod, with his permission, I arranged a prayer shawl ritual. Our staff wheeled Rod in his hospital bed to the window by our meditation room, where he was surrounded by nearly 50 members of his family—both his birth family and his adoptive family, the facility staff.
People from Pre-op, OR, Inpatient Care and Ancillary Services visited. There were doctors, nurses, laboratory techs, RTs and more. There were people who were working their shifts, and people who came in on their day off. There were even people who had left the organization but came back just for this.
The space was made where people could engage in their healing in whatever way was right for them. We each had the opportunity to hold the prayer shawl and express whatever was right in the moment. Some prayed silently, others prayed aloud. Some prayers were Christian, others were not. Some offered words of encouragement, others offered their emotional goodbyes. Through it all, God’s healing presence was made known not just to Rod and his family, but to our staff.
Rod’s life came to an end the next day, and his family asked me to lead them during his funeral service, which I agreed to do.
I believe that our care for Rod is a testimony to the commitment we have to our patients, that we are people who see our patients as people with whom we can develop personal connections. Our mission statement emphasizes caring, especially for those who are vulnerable, and I believe we do that most authentically when we engage with our own vulnerability individually and collectively. What a treat it was to see that on display.
Submitted by Nosheen Rafique
Questions for Reflection
When was the last time a patient or colleague made a positive impact on you?
In what ways can challenges and hardship help us to live out our mission?
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The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad moreAbout Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
Sacred Stories | Stringed ReleaseLike good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. – 1 Peter 4:10
Today was going to be a good day. The patient was on the road to recovery and felt fine as he looked out the window, the skies filled with the promise he felt in his heart.
Without warning, his hopes shattered. Something was terribly wrong in his body, and he didn’t understand. Doctors were at work, but it was an irreversible problem. Not only would he not live through the day, he would likely not survive another 60 minutes.
Family members dashed into the patient’s room to say their goodbyes. The chaplain came to offer support. The patient could barely speak, but his brother relayed a message to the chaplain: “Please, find a guitar player. My brother loves the guitar and if he’s going to die, he wants to die to the sound of a guitar.”
The doctor told the chaplain to hurry. The man had very little time.
I’m a maintenance man at the hospital. I fix things for a living. But, in my spare time, I play the guitar, and I play in the band at my church.
I saw the chaplain hurrying toward me. He asked me to bring my guitar and play for a dying man I had never met. I looked at him as if he was out of his mind. “I’ll find you a good guitar player,” I offered.
“It’ll be too late; this man is dying now,” the chaplain replied. I heard a passage from Matthew inside my head: “Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me.” With the conviction of the Lord upon my heart, I agreed to play.
I got my guitar, which I keep at the hospital because I stop in the chapel before work to play. It’s my way of honoring the Lord.
I went to the patient’s room. I didn’t even know his name. I played, “Came to My Rescue,” and then, “Draw Me Close,” and the man passed away.
The family thanked me and said, “He waited for you.” They said he refused to die until the guitar player came. Until this point, I thought I was to use my skills here as a maintenance man. God called on me to use the musical talents he gave me to help someone else. I now know he wants me to use all of my talents. It was one of the greatest gifts I have received.
Shared From the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
Can you think of a time when you were called upon to do something outside of your job description? Did you hesitate or did you answer the call? What did you learn from that experience?
What other gifts and talents do you have that might be used for God’s purposes?
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The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad moreAbout Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
Sacred Stories | To Truly See
“But blessed are your eyes because they see and blessed are your ears because they hear. — Matthew 13:16
While I was working the night shift, a patient forever changed my view on life. This patient was blind, so I made frequent stops in her room. Early one morning, I asked if she would like me to order her breakfast. Though swamped with the upcoming shift change, I took the time to read the menu to her, tell her which items I recommended, and placed her order.
Anxious to complete my work, I asked if there was anything else she needed. She asked if the sun was rising yet. I walked to her window and slightly opened a blind, responding, “Yes, ma’am, it is.” She asked if I would open the blinds for her. Bewildered, I opened the blinds to the new morning.
As I did, I wondered what the day would hold. What promises, heartaches and losses would each of us experience? As I pondered my silent inquiries, my patient sighed deeply and said she had not seen a sunrise in decades. She told me the heart-wrenching story of how she lost her eyesight as a young child and how she would love to see a sunrise just one more time.
I looked at the clock, then back to the silent tears streaking my patient’s aged face. I walked to her bedside, held her hand for a moment and said, “Can I paint it for you?” She smiled and said, “Well, honey, I still won’t be able to see it!”
“Yes, ma’am, you will, because God is the painter,” I said. I released her hand and walked back to the window. I described the sunrise in such poetic terms that I astounded myself. I described the shades of the shadows that tried to hide from the golden rays of the sun. I blended the hues of blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow and gray in the sky. I highlighted the greenery as it was touched by the sunlight and described the wisps of clouds with their silver linings.
I turned back to my patient, who was still crying, but smiling. She thanked me for taking the time to describe something so many of us take for granted. She said a heavy burden of grief had been lifted, and it was a gift to see again, if only for a moment, through my words. I grasped her outreached hand, and she said it was her turn to paint me a picture.
“Most people worry about tomorrow. They don’t stop to see the beauty God has placed in front of them, or the promises of beauty within that prove God’s love. If God takes care of the birds, don’t you think God will take care of you? So I ask you, who is it that is truly blind?”
Shocked, I answered honestly, “Me.”. My patient responded, “I depend on God every day to take care of me. Today, God sent you to describe a sunrise to me. If you open your eyes, you will see that God will take care of you, too.” Through my tears, I thanked her and hugged her.
On the way home, I pondered her words of wisdom. I realized that a healing had taken place for both of us, and that through us God had met our needs. I was being robbed by worry, fear and doubt, when, in fact, each day was a blessing.
Since then, I look to each morning with expectation and hope, which has changed my attitude and even “infects” the people around me. I’ve learned to count my blessings. Often, when the shadows fall just right and the hues in the sky blend perfectly, as they did on that life-changing morning, I think of my patient and thank God for sending her across my path.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
Describe a time when you were the eyes and ears for another person. What did that feel like?
Has anyone ever been your eyes and ears? What was that experience like for you?
The post To Truly See appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Bagpipes
*“The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.”
— Proverbs 16:9 NRSV*
It was near Saint Patrick’s Day, when I met with a friend, whom I’ll call “Ian.” We shared stories of life and the paths we had traveled in our medical careers. We spoke about family heritage; Ian has Irish roots, and I was born in England. He mentioned that he played the bagpipes, which I love to hear, and that he would be performing in a Saint Patrick’s Day parade with his piping band.
I asked if he would stop by on his way to the parade and play the pipes for me. He agreed and came to my facility with his father and friend. Donned in their kilts, the three stood in the parking lot and played the pipes for all to enjoy. It was beautiful.
A man appeared and asked who was playing the pipes and if they would consider playing for his mother, a patient in our hospice. She had always wanted to hear someone play the bagpipes.
Ian and his fellow musicians agreed to play for the man’s mother, and we secured permission to do so. The trio proceeded upstairs to the hospice area and played “Amazing Grace.” The sound of the pipes echoed in the halls, and everyone was caught up in the moment, briefly forgetting their troubles. We shared tears of joy and sadness as the bagpipers granted the woman’s wish.
Ian and his colleagues stayed a while longer to chat with the patient and family. He mentioned shortly after that she seemed content. The woman died a couple of days later, and her son gained comfort from knowing he had granted her dying wish.
Ian later was invited to play the bagpipes at the woman’s funeral. What a nice ending to a heartwarming life experience. No money or possessions can ever replace the goodness that comes from our hearts.
Was it coincidence, or a blessing in disguise that Ian and his colleagues stopped by that day? God really does work in mysterious ways.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
Stop and reflect on the sounds that lift your spirit and why those particular sounds have that effect.
Think about how others experience your voice: Is it heartwarming, like the bagpipes?
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The post Bagpipes appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Can You Hear Me in the Noise?
*“I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:20*
The building we worked in that day was crowded and noisy. We were a team of medical missionaries, working in a small village in Honduras. We were doctors, dentists, nurses, translators and helpers, busy with our tasks. As usual, a crowd gathered and clamored to see us. A gatekeeper was charged with monitoring the flow of patients we would serve. The environment was chaotic, with excitement, anxiety, fear, pain, desperation, relief, joy and laughter – all audible at the same time.
I struggled with why it had to be that way: why couldn’t it be quiet and calm? On that particular day, I got an answer, and it stunned me. I was busy and having a hard time hearing my own thoughts. For one brief moment, I just sat and listened to the cacophony surrounding me. That’s when a quiet little voice inside my head said, “Can you hear me in the noise?”
Such a simple message, but it made me stop and notice a much bigger reality. This was more than a noisy crowd seeking medical care and a group of health care providers trying to help. I heard and was aware of God’s very presence, audible at that moment, existing in the noise itself. God’s spirit was speaking, trying to be known to us in the voices of people asking for our ears to listen to their needs. He was present, not in spite of the noise, but actually within it. I had to let that sink in. As the day went on, from time to time I would listen to the little voice again.
Our conversations with God are often one-way, with us pouring out our needs and concerns. How wonderful it is to occasionally hear God say something directly to us, sometimes through scripture, liturgy or the wonders of nature. On that blessed day in Honduras, I realized more clearly that God is everywhere. In the desperate eyes of the vulnerable who come to see us, God is looking right at us. In our own hearts and heads, God whispers encouragement and instruction. God is wherever two or more of us connect in care, concern and love.
Back home in our clinics and hospitals, it is harder for me to hold on to this truth in the daily routine. I often find myself struggling and feeling put upon by the demands of the day. Why is that? If I take a moment to recall that wonderful day in Honduras, I can barely perceive a similar message: “I’m still here, even in this noise.” Then, I can once again grasp the call to be God’s hands, ears and voice for the next person I encounter.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Question for Reflection
When you find yourself struggling and being put upon by the demands of the day, how do you quiet the noise to be attentive to the quiet little voice inside your head?
How have you recently been God’s hands, ears and voice for someone?
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Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminMy Poignant StoryFebruary 15, 2022/by adminLife and DeathMarch 1, 2022/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?March 7, 2022/by adminBagpipesMarch 15, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post Can You Hear Me in the Noise? appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Life and Death
*“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news …to give them a garland instead of ashes.”
– Isaiah 61: 1 & 3 NRSV*
I had an experience years ago that continues to remind me why I became a nurse and how much the “little things” we do can affect others’ lives.
Working the night shift in our obstetrics unit, I met a patient I’ll call Jill. An elementary school teacher, she and her husband, “John,” were having their first child.
As I became acquainted with them, I learned that John’s father was also a patient, near death after a battle with cancer. John was torn up about who needed him more: Jill, who was about to deliver their baby; or his mother, father and family. I reassured him that whenever he needed to be with his father, I would stay at Jill’s bedside and that we would call him right back if Jill needed him.
Throughout the night, John and I took turns being with Jill so that he could make several trips to his father’s bedside. The couple’s baby girl arrived just after 4:00 a.m., beautiful and healthy. As I held her, I looked at Jill, John and the attending physician. I asked if John and I could take the baby to meet her grandfather. They all agreed. John and I wrapped the precious bundle and took her to meet her grandpa.
John’s father was surrounded by family. Though his breathing was labored, I felt him relax as we took his hand to help him touch his granddaughter. It was as though God had His hand in that moment. We stayed only a few minutes before returning with the baby to Jill’s bedside. John’s father died about two hours later. It seemed that the whole family could accept his death more easily, knowing that life had been carried on through the birth of this precious baby girl.
Five years later, I received a card from Jill. She wrote that she became a registered nurse in a pediatric unit and believed it was a perfect fit with her elementary education background. She said that in nursing class she had used our story for one of her personal experience speeches. She wanted me to know that she changed her career because of one night with one nurse who made a difference.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
Why did you start working in health care?
Reflect on “God’s hand” in your daily work. How can you make known God’s healing presence for others?
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Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminMy Poignant StoryFebruary 15, 2022/by adminLife and DeathMarch 1, 2022/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?March 7, 2022/by adminBagpipesMarch 15, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post Life and Death appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | My Poignant Story
*“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”
— Matthew 14:14*
On my second day as activities director in our behavioral health department, I decided to visit each room. I wanted to meet all the patients and try to see through their eyes how to make their days special.
One of our patients was a man in his eighties, whom we’ll call Jerry. He came to us from rehab after suffering a stroke. The rehab team had noted some aggressive behavior from Jerry. When I met him, he hadn’t eaten or slept in three days. He seemed lost and disoriented.
I asked Jerry about his family: he mentioned the name Lolli, and said she had just been with him, but now he couldn’t find her. I wasn’t sure if Lolli was a nurse who had helped him, a pet, a friend or a family member.
The next day, Jerry still had not eaten or slept, his condition was deteriorating, and he was still looking for Lolli. I did a little research and found out his wife, “Lucy,” was in the ICU at our hospital. She was in critical condition after suffering a stroke. Could she be the Lolli that Jerry was looking for? I asked the nurses if we could take him to the ICU to see his wife, who was in a coma. The nurses were willing to help reunite the couple, though they cautioned that Lucy might not even know that he was there.
I called the couple’s daughter, “Kathy,” to ask her permission to take Jerry to visit her mother. She was extremely grateful. She also said that she was on her way to the hospital. While I waited for Kathy to arrive, I helped Jerry and combed his hair so he would be ready to see his wife.
Once we were all on the way to the ICU, Jerry smiled, and a tear rolled down his cheek. Kathy was teary-eyed and excited, too.
Lucy’s ICU nurse greeted us and guided us into the room. Lucy was unresponsive as we wheeled Jerry to the side of her bed. When he saw Lucy, he immediately held her hand. “Lolli!” he said. We helped him stand up so he could lean over and give her a kiss.
Then, Lucy’s eyes opened. “Jerry, is that you?” she said. Lucy started to remove her blankets and pull herself towards him. We helped Jerry sit on the hospital bed with his wife, and she hugged him. Lucy saw her daughter and smiled, gently repeating Kathy’s name, over and over.
The ICU nurse was in tears, and we were literally on our knees with amazement. Lucy asked for water and ate a popsicle as if her stroke had never happened.
After this, both Jerry and Lucy improved. They eventually were discharged to live with their daughter.
God bless this ministry for allowing me to experience this poignant story. It is a reminder that God guides us through every encounter if we take the time to hear His voice when we listen to patients like Jerry, who really need to be heard. It was a beautiful reminder of our mission.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Question for Reflection
Why is being present and listening so important in this story?
Can you think of a time when you truly listened to someone? What happened?
How much more healing could take place if we took the time to be truly present, listen and find compassionate ways to meet people’s needs?
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminMy Poignant StoryFebruary 15, 2022/by adminLife and DeathMarch 1, 2022/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?March 7, 2022/by adminBagpipesMarch 15, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post My Poignant Story appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Many Gifts, Same Spirit
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV
I came to work in the emergency department to the news that a semi-trailer truck had collided with a recreational vehicle. Both vehicles were total losses, and there would be multiple patients.
The family in the RV included a husband and wife, their two teen-aged children, and the wife’s sister and brother-in-law. Both the mother and son required surgery. The daughter required inpatient observation. The husband and his in-laws had bumps and bruises that were treated at the site of the accident.
When the husband later arrived at the hospital, I updated him and then hugged him. As you might imagine, he and his in-laws were dazed, unable to process all that was happening and all that had so instantly changed in their world. A nurse brought them new T-shirts to change into. One of the sisters on staff came to pray with them and give them a key to a hotel room where they could clean up.
In the early afternoon, the wife’s sister and her husband came by the emergency department. As we talked, they freely shed tears. They felt blessed that the accident had brought them to our hospital.
They said that one of the paramedics gave them all the money in his pocket – $100 – for things they might need. The paramedics also made a second two-hour round trip to the accident scene to gather any personal belongings they could find for the family. When the couple went to the cafeteria for lunch, a hospital employee paid for their meal, then disappeared.
Later, I talked with the father, who said several employees had offered him their car keys so that he would have a car.
That day left me in awe of the people I work with. The outpouring of caring seemed endless. Like the family, I continually found tears in my eyes, blessed to witness this genuine caring.
I thought about how God used these people to help the strangers on the road, but I had difficulty grasping the magnitude of the grace I witnessed. It was not until later, when I told the story to my best friend, that I realized the real majesty of that day. They were simply being real Christians, quietly living their values.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Question for Reflection
The name CommonSpirit was inspired by 1 Corinthians 12:7: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” What different “manifestations of the Spirit” do you see in the actions of the staff?
How does our name relate to our mission to “make the healing presence of God known in our world”?
What unique gifts do you bring to this ministry?
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post Many Gifts, Same Spirit appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Whenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me
We serve with fullest passion, creativity, and stewardship, and exceed expectations of others and ourselves.
-CommonSpirit Health’s definition of excellence
During the early hours of the morning, as I was attending to the needs of a terminally ill gentleman, I mentioned to him that it had started to snow. In a very weak voice, he said, “I would so like to touch the snow once more.”
The snow continued to fall during the night. At 4:30 a.m., I brought a tray outside, collected a mound of snow and took it to his room. He was awake, and when I showed him the snow, he smiled as I arranged the bed linens and placed the tray on his bed. He reached into the snow, picked up a handful and slowly rubbed it across his face, neck, forehead and lips. He then closed his hand and held the snow until it melted.
I stood and watched; there was such a sense of peace about him. I felt very happy that I was able to fulfill his wish.
Less than two days later, he passed away. I believe that in the future, whenever it snows, the memory of him holding snow in his hand will come to me.
Question for Reflection
In what ways have you used creativity to meet a person’s needs?
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post Whenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Santa Finally Comes to Our House
“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.” – St. Benedict of Nursia, Founder of the Benedictine Order (480-547)
In the December-darkened room, the little girl shone brightly. With a mop of golden curls and a sunny smile, she looked like the Campbell’s Soup child. Her young mother was caring for her grandmother. The little girl was quiet, but I could see that the hospital room was not much fun for her. With her mother’s permission, I began to play with the young girl. We colored pictures and quietly read stories.
Day by day, I came to know the child and her mother better. They lived with the grandmother and depended on her home and her wisdom. Her illness troubled them, and uncertainty hovered nearby.
One afternoon, Santa came to visit the unit. With her mother’s permission, I took the child to see him. She was still with awe. I asked her if she would like to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas, but she said no. “Would you like to tell me, and I can tell him?” I asked. She whispered in my ear, “A Dora the Explorer doll.”
Later, I told her mother what the child had asked for. Grimly, she said, “Santa doesn’t come to our house. Santa is just for those who have money.” Suddenly, I realized what kind of Christmas awaited this little family. It broke my heart.
I called one of my coworkers to share my sadness. She said, “I have a Dora the Explorer doll under my tree at home. I bought it for a friend’s daughter, but my friend told me, ‘please do not give it to my daughter; she already has so many toys.’ I am going to call my husband right now and ask him to bring it here.”
When the doll arrived, we placed it under the Christmas tree in my unit. When all was ready, I brought the child to the tree. When she saw the doll, she gasped, “Santa listened to me! He really listened!”
There are many problems we cannot f ix: broken families, miserable economics, shattered health. But we can listen to each other, and perhaps that is the greatest gift of all.
The author is Betsy Kammerdiener
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Question for Reflection
When was the last time you demonstrated our value of compassion by caring with listening, empathy, and love?
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post Santa Finally Comes to Our House appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Like a Grain of Wheat
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” – John 12:24
Sometimes, healers need healing. And often, caring for patients heals the healers. This is what happened when a man was admitted to one of our intensive care units with severe complications from influenza.
Almost no one on staff had much hope for his survival. One reason was the severity of his case. Another was a sickness of spirit among staff members who were grieving the recent and shocking murders of local police officers. The staff knew these officers, and had grown accustomed to seeing them in the emergency department. They were friends, and the entire staff was grieving their deaths when this man was admitted to the ICU.
For the first week, the patient’s condition didn’t improve. Then, one of the doctors ordered a special bed that would place him in a prone position. The staff had not seen this type of bed before and some said, “Really? That thing’s going to make him better?” After the second week, they began to think, “Well, maybe he might possibly live.”
Under the heavy burden of their grief and the daunting odds against this patient’s recovery, the ICU staff kept their focus, attention and commitment to his care. They kept faithful to their covenant of care while enduring their own dark night of the spirit. As this patient gradually began to heal, so did the ICU staff. Their selfless demonstration of compassion and excellence brought about his healing; in return, his healing rejuvenated them. Similar to the grain of wheat as they gave of themselves, their spirits found rebirth.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Question for Reflection
Reflect on a time when you experienced healing through helping others. Who recently has brought renewal to your life or spirit?
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post Like a Grain of Wheat appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Jesus Lit Up Our World
“No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” – 1 Corinthians 10:24 NIV
Music can be a means of spiritual communication that transcends human understanding. We had such an experience during the Christmas season. Years ago, we had a wonderful schedule of events to celebrate the birth of our Lord. I had the privilege to organize and direct an employee choir. We sang a cantata titled “Jesus, Light of the World.” It was a wonderful experience for me, for the choir members and for those who listened to our presentations.
After we performed at the annual employee Christmas buffet, one of our chaplains told me about a hospital patient who loved music but was not expected to live more than a day or so. The chaplain asked if some of the choir members would go to the patient’s room and sing a few carols.
I sent an email to the choir, asking all who could to meet me at the patient’s room. Nearly all of the 34 choir members gathered around the bedside. With his family in the room, we sang the entire cantata for them. We could really feel God’s presence with us. But for the Grace of God I’m not sure how we made it through. It was the most touching and memorable moment of my entire Christmas celebration.
I know it was a sacred moment for the patient and his family. I really appreciate sharing in the mission and healing ministry. I’ll never forget this 30-minute experience in which Jesus lit up our corner of the world in song.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Question for Reflection
When have you demonstrated empathy to comfort another?
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post Jesus Lit Up Our World appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | A New Friend
*“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for
an instant?” – Henry David Thoreau*
I volunteered to work the day shift on Christmas Day because we were short-staffed. I was a little sad to leave my children and go to work. But, during my hour-long drive to work, I decided that I would make this a cheerful day and help my patients to not feel sad about being in the hospital on Christmas. I knew that they, too, would rather be at home with their families.
Most of the patients were in cheery moods, greeting the nurses with, “Merry Christmas!” However, one patient was just plain crabby. I did what I could to make her comfortable and opened the curtains so she could see the white, fluffy snowflakes gently falling outside. But, she remained crabby.
About 5:30 p.m., the dietary aides brought her supper. When I went to help her set up her tray, she complained that she didn’t like any of the food. I told her I could arrange for another tray, or I could go to the galley and make her some chicken noodle soup. She decided that she would like the soup.
When I returned with her warm bowl of soup and crackers, she thanked me and said, “I don’t know why you have been so nice to me all day when I have been nothing but crabby.” I told her, “I know that you don’t want to be here, especially on Christmas, so I was trying to make it a good day for you.”
She began to cry. She told me that her only son had died, she had lost her husband recently and that this was her first Christmas alone. We gave each other a hug, and I sat and listened to her.
I left work thankful that I had a family to go home to – and that I had made a new friend that Christmas Day.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Question for Reflection
When was the last time you “looked through the eyes of another” and gained a renewed sense of empathy?
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post A New Friend appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | Ladybug’s Christmas Tree
*“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good
works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 NRSV*
Sometimes God lets you know that you are part of His plan. When He does, you are blessed. Such was the case just before Christmas a few years ago.
A colleague and I were just getting to know one another. She had moved after her mother passed away so she could be closer to her grown children.
She was so tiny. The first time I saw her, she had red on, so I thought I’d call her Ladybug. In November, I asked her if she had decorated for Christmas. After all, my tree had been up since Halloween. She somberly said she didn’t decorate for Christmas anymore. I wondered why, but she didn’t elaborate.
Soon after, I was shopping and saw a rosemary plant shaped like a Christmas tree. I instantly thought of my new colleague. I decided to buy some lights, put them on the plant, and put the plant on her desk.
When I arrived to deliver it, she was on a break, so I placed the tree on her desk and left. When I returned home, she had already left a message for me. “You don’t know what you did, give me a call,” she said.
When I returned her call, she told me that on her way to work that morning she had longed for her mother. She prayed to God and wondered if He even heard her. “Do you know what my mother’s name is?” she asked. “It’s Rosemary! Did you read the card attached to the plant? It says rosemary means friendship, love and remembrance.”
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
*What is a special memory you have from a holiday?
Can you remember a time that you realized you were part of God’s plan?*
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post Ladybug’s Christmas Tree appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | With the Arms of Christ
“Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, cold, in need?” – Matthew 25:37
Working in a hospital, we have many opportunities to see the Lord hungry for compassion, thirsty for peace, cold from loss of love and in need. We also have the awesome opportunity to respond to the Lord and meet those needs as often as we encounter them. One such encounter occurred just before Christmas, when the weather got worse as the day went on. Blizzard warnings were issued, and the snow piled up fast. Everyone kept an eye on the weather, knowing that travel was becoming treacherous.
Late in the morning, an ambulance brought an elderly man to the emergency department in cardiac arrest. He was accompanied by his wife.
They lived in a nearby assisted living facility, and they had no family except each other. The patient’s prognosis was very poor, and he was moved to the intensive care unit. The chaplains provided presence, prayers and care as the day went on. The medical staff was tenderly attentive to both the patient and his wife as she kept vigil at his bedside. At about 3 p.m., the patient died peacefully.
By that time the hospital had implemented its emergency snow protocols to deal with bringing in needed staff and hunkering down until the storm had passed. Everyone felt terrible that the patient’s wife was stranded at the hospital, grieving the loss of her lifelong love.
Because of the snow, her assisted living facility was unable to send a car to pick her up.
One of the chaplains went to see if he could help. He found the woman sitting at the exterior door in the emergency department. Nearby was a large, four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle. The driver was our director of facilities, who had equipped his personal vehicle with signage that would allow him to drive the streets during the weather emergency.
As the chaplain watched, the facilities director gently put his arm around the woman’s shoulders, as if with the arms of Christ, and said, “Let’s get you home after this difficult day.” He carefully guided her to the vehicle, settled her in, and drove her home. The lived spirituality in this sacred encounter certainly put the words of St. Matthew into action and, in doing so, brought uncommon warmth on a very cold and lonely night.
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
*Reflect on a time when you demonstrated compassion by meeting the needs of another.
How did your actions make God’s healing presence known?*
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post With the Arms of Christ appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | A Thank You Note
“Above all, love each other deeply…” – 1 Peter 4:8a NIV
“The first thank you note I write must be to you. I am very grateful for the help and comfort you so freely gave to mother and me…”
As I read the thank you note, my mind filled with memories. It was late on a Wednesday afternoon when the phone rang. The tightness I heard in the woman’s voice indicated that she was holding back tears. Her mother, whom I had visited many times at a nursing home, was having a difficult day. I agreed to visit her mother on my way home.
As I walked down the hallway to her room, one of the aides said, “I hope you have on your armor. No one can do anything right for her today. She hollers and complains when anyone goes into her room. Even her daughter left in tears.”
I found the woman sitting in a wheelchair next to her bed. “What are you doing here?” she asked angrily. “Is that any way to greet a friend?” I said. “I came to see how you are doing. Obviously, you’re not pleased with that.” Calmly she said, “No, I’m glad you are here.”
She said she had been praying for God’s help. When I asked what she needed help with, she said, “I want it to end. I want the suffering to stop, but I’m afraid to be alone.”
I guided her through a review of the details I knew of her life; as a young widow, she had raised four children alone. The courage and determination that she showed in her journey through life amazed me. Listening to her was like watching the fall colors come alive during an October sunrise. The unique way that God works in each person’s life is awesome.
I asked her if she had any regrets. Her eyes filled with tears. “It’s been 40 years since anyone held me in their arms,” she said. I knelt beside the wheelchair and put my arms around her. I hummed “Amazing Grace” as best I could, and in about 15 minutes she was asleep.
“Whatever you said was what Mother needed to hear. … She died Friday evening in her sleep. I believe you are responsible for helping Mother end her suffering. I am happy knowing she is finally home.”
Shared from the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
How are creativity and compassion related?When have you seen compassion ease the pain of another person?
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post A Thank You Note appeared first on Mission Network.
Sacred Stories | It Only Takes a Second *“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
– Psalm 34:18 NIV*
Nursing school taught me that nurses meet many challenges. Years ago, I was working in labor and delivery when a young couple came in, their faces taut with distress.
The young woman was four months pregnant and had just lost her baby. Communication was a challenge because she spoke no English.
I had no idea what the couple’s spiritual beliefs were, and I could not speak their language. But I knew they were in pain, and I wanted them to know how sorry I was that they had lost their baby. So as her appointment ended, I looked at the woman. I touched my finger to my cheek near my eye, traced a tear down my face, then touched my heart.
This simple action brought much-needed tears to all of our eyes. It only took a second. It crossed language and cultural barriers that exist only because we let them. Each of us has the ability to communicate at levels much deeper than words. It is our thoughts and actions that people read. With a little extra thought and care, we can enhance the medical care we provide to touch our patients – and maybe ourselves – a little deeper.
From the Sacred Stories Archive
Questions for Reflection
*In what ways does compassion rise above words?
How can accompanying a person in need bring people together?*
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The Gift of CitizenshipJuly 1, 2020/by adminOur Famous PatientJuly 1, 2020/by adminFulfilling a Last RequestAugust 1, 2020/by adminThe Power of Being PresentAugust 1, 2020/by adminA Celebrated FarewellSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Perfect TimingSeptember 1, 2020/by adminGod’s Presence in GriefSeptember 28, 2020/by adminCompassion in ActionSeptember 28, 2020/by adminThe Door is OpenOctober 26, 2020/by adminEncourage One AnotherOctober 26, 2020/by adminRestoring the SoulNovember 16, 2020/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred GroundNovember 16, 2020/by adminOur Christmas GiftNovember 30, 2020/by adminMessages Placed in My PathJanuary 8, 2021/by adminBeyond WordsFebruary 1, 2021/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19March 1, 2021/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of LifeMarch 8, 2021/by adminWisdom from a ChildApril 5, 2021/by adminGod Has This in ControlMay 3, 2021/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and KindnessMay 21, 2021/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present ValuesAugust 23, 2021/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving GardenSeptember 3, 2021/by adminFair, with Occasional CloudsSeptember 28, 2021/by adminAlways a ReasonOctober 12, 2021/by adminIt Only Takes a SecondOctober 26, 2021/by adminA Thank You NoteNovember 9, 2021/by adminWith the Arms of ChristNovember 30, 2021/by adminLadybug’s Christmas TreeDecember 6, 2021/by adminA New FriendDecember 8, 2021/by adminJesus Lit Up Our WorldDecember 14, 2021/by adminLike a Grain of WheatJanuary 5, 2022/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our HouseJanuary 13, 2022/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to MeJanuary 18, 2022/by adminMany Gifts, Same SpiritFebruary 1, 2022/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
If you have experienced God’s healing presence in your work, and are considering submitting a Sacred Story, please review our Sacred Story Guidelines and online submission form.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
The post It Only Takes a Second appeared first on Mission Network.
The post Receiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness appeared first on Mission Network.