Learning from Those We Serve

About a year and a half ago, I went to visit a friend who had been a member of my home church congregation, who was then living in a local nursing home.  I was aware that a few of the residents at the housing facility where I work had also been moved to this same nursing care facility.  It is quite a large place, so you can imagine my surprise when I walked into the room of my friend and found that one of our former residents at my workplace had been placed in the same room with her.  What was the likelihood of that?


I had always liked this resident.  She was in her mid-90s when she had to be placed in the nursing home.  She was quite hard of hearing and could no longer care for herself, but she had always been sharp mentally.  The friend I had gone to visit was asleep, so I went over and spoke to this woman instead.  She did not remember me, but she still seemed quite alert.  I asked her how she was doing and she said, rather cheerfully and in her distinctive voice, "Well, I have a roof over my head.  What more could I ask for?"  I was struck by how positive she was, despite that fact that she was in a room with three other roommates, basically had no privacy, and was living with practically nothing to call her own.  Would I be upbeat and cheerful if I were living in the same situation?  My answer would have to be no, I really don't think so.


People who work in the helping professions know that the individuals we are trying to help are often as much of a blessing to us as we are to them, and sometimes even more so.  They teach us many things, including humility and gratitude.  The woman I visited with so briefly that day certainly taught me these things.  She reminded me of how much I have, how little I really need, and that everything is a gift.  She also reminded me of how much we have to learn from those who live with specific limitations, whether they are physical, mental, financial, or perhaps a combination of these.


Are we really ready to be open to the people we are called to serve, to listen to them, and to learn from them?  If we are, I think this can make a real difference in how we approach our work and in how much we appreciate each individual person we encounter.  And that can only help us to be more sensitive and responsive as individuals who are called to care for others.