Journal of Sacred Work

Days 163-167 An Awesome Place To Be

 

Shoulder Taps.

How often to we listen to that small voice within? Especially when, this requires us to move outside of our comfort zone. We feel compelled… but we may hesitate and then dismiss the message.

I can’t help but wonder how many of these shoulder taps that I let slip on by because I didn’t want to feel foolish or feared how the person might respond or I was in too much of a hurry was not paying attention.

As a nurse, I’ve served in Home Health for the majority of my career, 30+ years in various roles at my current organization. When Kimmie, who works at the reception desk, receives a call and is at a loss for who to send the call to or how best to help the caller, she will often route the call to me.

We have an ongoing laugh about this and we tease each other back and forth regarding what call she is going to send me next. Yet, beyond that she knows that I welcome these calls and that she can count on me to be of help to the person who had a unique need, inquiry or concern.

For me, these are my “shoulder taps” and I listen carefully because I interpret them as “Hello, this is God calling” and I know I was meant to receive that person’s call.

As Bill Hart describes, it is an extraordinary feeling when you respond to “the call” and allow the Spirit to work through as you discover a double blessing in the sacredness of the encounter.

Reflection: Think of your own shoulder taps experiences, how have they informed your life, were you changed by the encounter in any way?

Liz Sorensen Wessel

swiftlyunabashed93c6d9b23b Avatar

Published by

swiftlyunabashed93c6d9b23b
Categories:
Tags: , , ,

8 responses to “Days 163-167 An Awesome Place To Be”

  1. Terry Chapman Avatar
    Terry Chapman

    “Shoulder taps” is a terrific way to describe God drawing our attention to a needed gesture, wink, smile, or some small act to raise another’s spirits! I have felt God tapping my shoulder on occasion–when my sons were born; when I earned my family’s first PhD. in Career Development at age 40 and commmited my life to human services work that continues into my 80’s as I share these epiphanies of my soul.
    When my brother died, a challenged person with a love of life unmatched by few, I began my funeral service tribute to him, when a loud knock came at the door to our room. Lo and behold, there stood a dozen of Ronnie’s caregivers, unnannounced but clearly needing to honor Ronnie by their presence. Their tap on my grieving shoulder lent authenticity and pronounced human caring, as they one by one paid tribute to some facet of his character, ingenuity, and lust for life. Years later, I still feel that shoulder tap and will carry its meaning well into eternity!

    Like

    Reply
  2. Liz Wessel Avatar
    Liz Wessel

    Wow, thank you Terry for sharing in such a meaningful way about your experiences and especially the beautiful expression of love from Ronnie’s caregivers. A testimony to the love that exchanges between those being cared for and those who provide caregiving, and interweaving of Love’s blessings. “We are all wonded healers one to another.” H. Nouwen

    Like

    Reply
  3. Jolyon Avatar
    Jolyon

    I for one definitely believe. When I was much younger I was extremely ill and was rushed to the hospital and later taken into emergency surgery. Hours later I awoke and was in the ICU recovering. Through the night I was still awake, watching the activity around me when I fell a strong reassuring hand on my shoulder, yet there was no one even near me. Later after I related my experience to my mother, she found out that my relatives back in England had been doing a group prayer service for me at the same time I felt the “shoulder tap”.

    Like

    Reply
  4. erie chapman Avatar
    erie chapman

    Magnificent story, Terry, and so well told. What a beautiful tribute to Ronnie AND a powerful re-tribute by you to him today. It remains one of the remarkable things in our family’s life that Ronnie & I were born less than 24 hours apart. I feel his finger tapping my shoulder today sending me a message he could not speak in words, “Remember me to my brother, Chip. And tell him how much I love him and how grateful I am for every moment he spent with me.”

    Like

    Reply
  5. erie chapman Avatar
    erie chapman

    Lovely story, Jolyon. I share your belief and am grateful you shared this story.

    Like

    Reply
  6. erie chapman Avatar
    erie chapman

    Liz. This is clearly such a powerful post & the responses suggest there are hundreds more out there who are reflecting on the impact so many have had on our lives. It is a message of humility. That is what I hear from both you and Bill Hart. That we are not in this alone because so many have influenced the course of our lives. Often in very mysterious ways.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Liz Wessel Avatar
    Liz Wessel

    What an incredible comforting reassurance that must have been, Jolyon to experinece Love’s presence so palpable. I remember…and I am so grateful you survived to dicover the beautiful unfolding of yours and Sharon’s life together and the marvelous beings that came into this world through that loving union of two caring souls.
    .

    Like

    Reply
  8. Liz Wessel Avatar
    Liz Wessel

    Yes, and I would love to listen to stories people have to share in this regard.These opportunities arise more often than what is likely to meet our awareness, so it important to pay attention.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment