Sometimes I get sucker punched by God.  I have a job where I am in a position to help people on a daily basis.  I go into a client’s home, do my assessment, offer information, education, counseling and support, and then I leave to spend a ridiculous amount of time writing about it.  Today I went to see a new client, a relatively young man with severe limitations of speech and mobility.  I struggle to understand his words at times, and I’m sorry to make him repeat himself.  Despite that obstacle to communication, it is clear that there is nothing limited in his mind.

Part of my questioning is around a spiritual assessment; to explore what kind of faith background, spiritual support and belief systems are in place which may come into play when faced with a terminal illness.  We talked about his church family, a local protestant church, and he told me that he reads his Bible every morning.  He asked if I read the Bible.  I confirmed that I do read it every morning, too.  He told me that his favorite passage is Deuteronomy 8, and he asked me to look it up for him.  I found that scripture in his King James Bible, and read it to myself while he watched.  And I found myself unexpectedly blessed.  I was sitting with a bright and personable man, trapped by a deteriorating disease, and he is telling me that his favorite words of God describe how God keeps his promises, will lead his people to a good land, provides for the needs of his people, and keeps his covenant with his people.

I am humbled by the lessons I learn from my clients about living a life full of gracefulness and gratefulness.  I am thankful that God uses them to teach them and that my life runs into theirs for this part of the journey.