An ordained, interfaith chaplain, ME?

Sarah asked, “What do you think about God?”

She was a client in the later stage of metastatic cancer and raising a family, and I was caught totally off guard by her question. I am a therapist…maybe I could lose my license talking about God…I grew up Jewish praying in a foreign language…how DO you pray? “Hello God. Got a minute?” 

That was a lifetime ago. I reached for a yellow pages (remember those?) to find someone with a DEGREE in GOD - a priest, minister, rabbi…Sarah said, “I’m in a relationship with YOU. I want to know what YOU think.”

The light bulb went off: I finally realized that  working with patients living with life altering, chronic conditions means that I have to be open and comfortable addressing issues of mind, body AND spirit.

So, back to school to learn how to pray and offer spiritual support regardless of my client’s particular religious/spiritual status. Now, as an ordained interfaith chaplain, I find it natural to ask if a patient has any religious or spiritual beliefs/practices which might be of help to them at this time. To ask, “Is that something you might like to explore?” An invitation to reflect, question, review, come to some peace with the mystery of life.