For humans, work, in whatever industry, enables us to make a living while providing someone else a good or service. It is no different for those who work with hospice patients.
I have told our hospice team many times that the reason we work may be an income. But the purpose of our work is different. Our purpose, or mission, is much higher.
At Texas Hospice our mission is to improve the lives of people who have a life-limiting diagnosis. And the ability to carry out this mission is God-provided.
Those of us who are followers of Jesus are under orders to serve: take care of the poor and alien among you; help the widows and orphans; relieve suffering. ”When I was sick you comforted me and when I was in prison you visited me”- Jesus from Matthew 7.
Jesus enhances the blessing in our service by saying ” when you do this to the least of these you do it as unto me.” How about that promise for those of us who are satisfied only with deep, lasting meaning? That promise is especially helpful to those of us, such as myself, who find it difficult to serve.
Bathing a dying person comforts our Lord. Giving a dose of morphine to a pain-sufferer sooths our God. Holding hands and praying with family as a loved-one dies uplifts the One who has come.
