Christ Has No Body Now But Yours
A friend of mine is going through a very difficult time, a life changing time. She has a mentally disabled brother who has been diagnosed with leukemia and is in his last days. He is not sure what is really happening but knows that he is going to die and is afraid he won’t go to heaven and that there is no God. In the meantime, her mother suffers from Dementia (perhaps Alzheimer’s) and Janice needs to care for her as well as look out for her elderly father who has been experiencing his own health problems. Did I mention she is a doctor? Did I also mention that she is a very involved mother of 3 school- aged (wonderful) children? The other day, Janice posted on her Facebook page an experience that she had the night before;Please pray for Dora’s soul. She was the person in the front room next to my brother at the Abraham House. She died last night with me and Charlene by her side. She died peacefully. I often wonder what life is all about.It was a strange night with Winterguard, Drumline and then this at the Abraham house. We held her hand, rubbed her forehead and prayed for her. I think the volunteer that was there was glad I had come at that time. I went to visit my brother and give him his insulin shot, but stayed till midnight comforting Dora and her family when they came.The volunteer and I dressed her, and combed her hair. We put lip gloss on her so that she looked beautiful and peaceful when the family came. I know that’s a bit creepy but important for her family to see her at peace.What struck me is how Janice didn’t recognize how in the moment she was Christ to Dora, as well as her family. How in her care and compassion she was living God’s love. I sent her a note to let her know what I was thinking and how in my mind, this is what life is about. All of it, all of the Wintergaurd and Drumline moments as well as the Abraham House moments. Letting someone feel love as they leave this world and go into the next. A gift also to her brother who is so afraid. A gift to the family who were allowed to see her cared for and not alone in her last moments. John Michael Talbot does a song of St. Theresa’s Prayer and it was the only thing I could think of when I was reading her post; “Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours”. I sent it to Janice. I hope it helps her understand the importance of her loving heart and her caring mind. Click the link and enjoy the song.
