Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, subtitled Stories of the Search for Home and Healing on the Streets by Craig Rennebohm with David Paul illustrates the art and practice of pastoral caring among the most in need in the United States. Without describing the whole book, I would like to post some of the passages which have resonated with me the most in my early steps on the path of pastoral caring.
Some of the first words one hears in pastoral care training are usually Presence and Empathy. Rennebohm presents a wonderful passage on page 72 in which he describes what "companionship" is:
"In companionship, the Spirit moves to support the healing and growth of the soul. sharing the human journey together is vital in everyone's life, but it is especially crucial in the life of persons beset by illness, hardship, grief, or tragedy. Being present to a soul tormented by fear, buried in depression, or bouncing wildly from one extreme emotion to another can be trying. But companionship provides a way. Companionship is the vehicle through which God heals. through companionship, the gifts of the Spirit are made real."
Inevitably one asks -- as I did and still do -- how do you DO companionship? In the next several blogs I would like to explore the four practices of companionship as explained by Rennebohm: offering hospitality, walking side by side, listening, and accompaniment.
I am reminded of this lovely prayer:
"Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for thy love's sake. Amen." [Prayer for Mission, Evening Prayer, The Book of Common Prayer]
