What Really Matters

As many of you know, I've been staying with my parents after my mother's heart surgery. It's been (and continues to be) a long road of recovery, with tiny baby steps each day.

Being at the hospital every day, I've learned some new values of life. I asked a volunteer, who was reading a newspaper, "What's going on in the world?"

He looked at me, with a sympathetic smile. "Nothing that you need to bother with. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that you are here with your loved one. What goes on beyond that doesn't matter right now."




I smiled.

Yes, the elections, world events, holidays, even the weather . . . they don't matter. What matters is the size of my faith. Am I keeping close to the God that is control of everything? Am I trusting Him moment by moment? Do I draw my strength from Him to endure the strain of this emotional stress?

I also learned that people matter. It only takes a smile or a greeting to lift another soul who is grieving, too. I began making a point of meeting the eye of those I saw in the hallways and waiting rooms.

I said "Hi" to the cleaning staff and the cafeteria workers. I talked of the weather with those who shared an elevator with me. I hugged those who cried in the waiting room. I patted the dogs of those I met on my morning walk.




Lord, I want to be drop of cool water, a breath of sweet fragrance, a sparkle of sunlight, or a gentle touch of love to those you send across my path. Let them see You in me. Amen

(photos of wall hanging at Gary's House-a refuge for those

whose loved ones are recovering from longterm illnesses)