It’s just over two weeks since my mother in law passed away. After a 6 year battle with cancer, the intensity and the difficulty mounted.
In the last two weeks she was admitted into Bethesda hospital / palliative care as the cancer overtook her body.
Although this was a gruesome reality and very very difficult time, it was made much more bearable by the care she received at Bethesda.
It wasn’t just the sense of peace in the place or the amazing views either…
Every one of the staff showed genuine care and compassion both towards my mother in law and her visitors – including my 6 young children.
To watch the incredible balance they had to walk between alleviating pain / discomfort and not contributing to or speeding up her death, was humbling. A line to me, they walked perfectly. It has given me a positive view of a medical institution (rare for me!) – and an insight into what value and need their is of good end of life, specifically palliative, care.
To me, the last two weeks of her life was a model of a reality she had earlier received – that true hope and peace can be found in Jesus Christ. Not religion, but a true trust in and connection with, the person, the God-man Jesus.
There is a scripture on the wall as you enter Bethesda:
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
– Jesus
This scripture comes to life for the patients. To me, the whole place seemed to be being carried by Jesus. Not in a religious sense, but in a real, tangible, “Jesus is here and cares” kind of a way.
It has sparked a renewed desire in me to help people towards the end of their lives or while going through sickness. It also stirs me in regard to the ‘Mango Drive’ run by Growing Families Australia.
This amazing venture funds a palliative care facility in India (Ruma Abedona Hospice) as well as a Biblically based parenting program for Aboriginal parents in the Kimberly and other smaller outlets.
We had planned and hoped to be able to help pick the mangoes this year, though the failing health of my mother in law and her passing has prevented that, but we can still be involved.
As we grieve and try to level out into a routine again, we are starting to prepare to sell boxes of mangos in our area and thinking about ways to put feet on the ideas we have to bless people in the area or who are going through trials.
And as we do, our gratitude goes out to the staff at Bethesda – and indeed to carers everywhere who often don’t get much recognition, but provide such an important role at people’s biggest hour of need.
May we follow suit.
Conclusion: Jesus cares
PRAYER: Lord, may we show love like You, and may we treat others with genuine care and love through their trials. Please bless the people whose desire it is to ‘be Your hands and feet’. And may we not shy away from the most loving thing of all to do: share the Gospel – the only source of eternal hope for this dying world. May we present the sacrificial death of Jesus body to a dying world.