Today’s Scripture: Mark 12:28-34 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tyler Connoley):
In my position as Hospice Chaplain, I was on my way to visit a patient with dementia. She had a lot of anxiety, and there seemed to be nothing I or anyone else could do about it. As I entered her home that afternoon, and greeted her caregiver, I prayed the prayer my mentor had taught me to say in tough situations: “God, let me be an open channel for your love.”
As I pulled up a chair and sat next to the patient, she was awake. When she saw me, she began her usual chatter. “I’m dying,” she called out. “I’m dying. Come help me. C-O-M-E H-E-L-P. I’m dying! H-E-L-P!” Her favorite past time before getting dementia was word puzzles, and she continued to spell in her current state of mind. “C-O-M-E H-E-L-P!”
I took her hand, and focused on love. I basked in God’s love for us, my love for God, and my love for her. I didn’t say anything. I simply kept myself open to God’s love. We sat like that for twenty minutes. When she would notice me, I would smile to let her know I was there, and I loved her. That was all I knew to do. Eventually, she stopped the chatter and began to nod off.
Then, I heard her speaking again. “I-N-G,” she said. “I-N-G — You’re helping.”
Thought for the day: There are 613 rules to follow in the Old Testament, but there are only two that make all the difference: Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.