12" x 12"
It has been almost 20 years ago that two friends and I celebrated a Birthday party together with a wonderful lunch in Cullman, Alabama. The Birthday girl, Jenni, suggested we end our day at Saint Bernard's Abbey which is the monastery in Cullman. Pam and I did not exactly have that in our plans but since it was Jenni's Birthday we decided to go along. When I look back now I realize that our attire was not what was acceptable as we had also met after exercise class and each one of us had on exercise attire, capri pants and t shirts. What were we thinking??? We arrived at the monastery in time for the mid day service and we walked into the massive sanctuary and found our place. There were few visitors there along with us, maybe 30. When it came time for communion a monk seated behind us tapped me on the shoulder and asked, "are you ladies Catholic?" I said, "no". He then proceeded to say, "well when the priest offers the communion you might want to just stay in your seat." I, being Methodist, where 'all are welcome at the communion table' was not aware of "closed communion". My friend Pam said to me, "that upsets me! They do not want us to take communion with them." I told her not to worry that I was sure it was my fault. She said, "how is that???" I, being a nurse, was not excited about the fact that the communion was being offered from a common cup. I told her, " Pam, I am sure these guys are all very healthy but I do not want to drink after them and everyone is drinking out of the common cup of wine." I had just gotten that statement out of my mouth when I heard someone fall across the room and hit the marble floor very hard. Without thinking I started running across the room and found a woman lying on the floor. She was an older woman and it appeared she probably had broken her hip. I asked Jenni to get pulses in her foot, and I started directing the monks like I would have other nurses in the hospital. I said, "I need someone to call 911, I need a blood pressure cuff, a cool washcloth and a fan if possible. "(If was extremely hot in that room). I then said, "and one of you could pray." I can be very bossy. A monk immediately started praying and the others were running around completing my other directives. Pam who is a counselor went over to the lady's family and provided calming reassurance with her professional manner. The ambulance arrived and we were able to give the lady's history to the health care workers, her current vital signs and details of what had occurred. She indeed did have a broken hip. As Pam, Jenni and I walked out that day several of the monks walked us to the door and one said, "this is amazing, two of you are nurses and one is a counselor and you all live in 3 different cities. Today, of all days you chose to come to our service. I do not know what we would have done without you." I have never been back to the monastery to this day.
We learn in Alcoholics Anonymous and Al Anon that we are powerless. Especially in these last days and weeks we have been made acutely aware of that. In the story above and in the words of my wise Spiritual Director, "the gifts that God gives us are for the healing of others". I feel that my friends and I used our gifts that day and I hope that my art is that. I hope that gift brings healing to others. As a global community we are experiencing ways we can use our gifts. I have loved seeing the ways in which others are reaching out; buying groceries for others, stores providing specific times for the elderly to shop, social distancing, popup concerts on Instagram, calling those who are alone and scared, home school moms giving advice to those moms who have their children home and unsure where to start with home schooling and the list goes on.
I cannot add anything to what has already been said about our current crises but my husband reminded our church today via facebook:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shall change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea....
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
-Psalm 46
