I love the book, “Everything I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” Have you read it? Robert Fulghum wrote it back in the late 80′s. He is profound in his simplicity.
Here is a great statement of wisdom, perhaps the deepest every uttered: “Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so.” Really? The childhood Sunday school song. Yeah. It really is the warp and woof of who we are and who the Creator is, and how we know about Him.
Although I believe scripture is authoritative and without error, the bible doesn’t speak to every issue and situation we face in life. But when it does, I pay very close attention to what it says.
That is why I thought I would mention a passage I came across this morning. It is one of the only places in scripture that addresses palliative treatment for the dying.
In Proverbs 31, not in the famous last 20 verses that describe an intelligent, valiant and strong woman, but in the first 10 or so verses, King Lemuel offers advice about wine. He says kings should stay away from alcohol because it impairs judgment.
But check out what he says about those who are dying: “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to him whose life is bitter. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.” Pretty direct advice on palliative care, I think.
Those who minister to the dying agree with that sentiment, only, instead of wine, we use morphine and Ativan to relieve pain and suffering. I feel that I should mention here that I have seen in my 12 years of being a physician the destructive effects of alcohol, and that I am not condoning intoxication or addiction. In the same way, morphine can be used for evil, and yet, in one of the mysteries of life, it can be the best present one gives to another.
Actually, most of our thinking, speaking, and doing at Texas Hospice, is grounded in bible:
- Our belief that humans have inherent value comes from Genesis 1-3, where we humans are created in the image of God.
- Our belief that we treat others the way we want to be treated is not something we came up with. Jesus offered that one.
- Our belief that death is not the enemy because our Lord conquered it is one scripture’s major themes.
- Our ability to offer hope to the dying and comfort to the suffering families originates in the reckless raging love that is the Father, well illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son.
I can keep going, and, perhaps, in a later entry I will. But for now, let me leave us with this admonition, as we fly through our days and weeks at American speed (my Kenyan friends laugh at my torrid life). That is to remember that those of us who provide care for the suffering and dying will one day be like-sufferers and like-dyers. If you have read some of my previous blog entries, you will know how joyous and meaningful a time that will be for many of us.
