Caring about those who are alone in the dark...
“As a spiritual care provider, start by caring about people. Pay attention to them, get to know them, gain an understanding of who they are, what they do and why… show up in their world, stay out of the way, but be accessible and approachable. Become a calm, non-anxious presence in their lives... care about them. Do this, and caring for them will take care of itself.” Pastor Dan Carlson, October 9, 2018.
Dear Fellow Hikers,
The first time I shared the above message was six years ago at a Public Safety Mental Health Conference hosted by the University of Minnesota, Humphrey Institute. It brought together Public Safety care providers and care recipients to hear a few keynote speakers (not me) and several breakout session speakers (yes, me) to specifically speak about crisis intervention care efforts and resources. Over the years I’ve done dozens of these hour long sessions, sharing a variety of messages focusing on my ministry work of providing spiritual health, care and support through police, fire and EMS chaplaincy programs.
I remember this specific conference for two reasons. First, I was starting to phase out of the speaking circuit to spend more time on providing direct spiritual care and support (this was actually my last presentation conference). The second reason was the response I received to the presentation. The breakout group of about 20 people included several local clergy members, who were there to explore the idea of getting involved with police chaplaincy work. When I finished the presentation, they asked if I would put the above statement back up on the screen so that they could write it down word for word. The caring about/caring for perspective was new to them. I also think they were intrigued by my emphasis on care used in the following context:
When the Pharisees heard that he (Jesus) had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:34-40
Love God and love your neighbor as yourself… (Dan’s short version)
Now, I can say unconditionally that I love my wife, my kids, my family, my life and my God. I share that love, I apply that love, I live that love and I am blessed to also receive that love. Love of God, Family, Friends… but, when we go down the path of loving neighbors and self… it gets a lot tougher for me. How exactly are we defining love? Biblically, there are four distinct descriptions of love: Eros, Storge, Philla, Agape (they’re easy to Google if you want to see their definitions). And if you look at how the secular world uses the word love, the descriptions are, yes I really believe this, literally infinite. Believing in love is one thing, practicing love is another - especially when we never really define what love is.
Well, I’m not going to define love for you here today, but I will give you a word that can start guiding you down the path of love for God, your neighbors and yourself… Care. When you are faced with times when the word Love might be too complex and challenging to practice… when you are frustrated, defensive, even angry... take some time to take a breath... take some time to listen... take some time to gain an understanding… take some time to care about your neighbors... and care about yourselves as well!
With Care and Gratitude, Dan
Postscript…
Re: Biblical Scripture… Clearly, I’m drawn to sharing quotes from sources accessible in the public domain to tell my stories. An argument can be made that there are many other types of scripture found outside of the Bible (one that I have made on several occasions), but I’ve decided that for the purpose of my Life Hike writing, when I use the word Scripture, I am always referencing the Bible.
Up Next: “Dan and Cam’s Annual Christmas Letter!” (Friday 12/27/24, S1/L4)