Journal of Sacred Work

Henri Nouwen

  • Grateful for Each Hand We Hold

      Throughout the challenges, the pandemic, division within our communities, nation, and even families, the devastation in our war-torn world, and more, there is still so much to be grateful for, even the struggles. One of the great spiritual writers,… Continue reading

  • The Art of Nursing Days: 124-125

      I just love this photo of Florence Nightingale holding the lamp, making her way through the dimly lit corridors of less-than-ideal conditions to care for “the least of these.” She was called to enter into the suffering of others,… Continue reading

  • A Message of Hope: Days 91-92

    I’ve been journeying with the writings of Henri Nouwen this Lenten season and I found his thoughts on suffering very helpful. Here are a few excerpts from his writings, shared from a Christian perspective. We are often tempted to “explain”… Continue reading

  • Days 156-157 A Warm and Tender Hand

    In Honor of All Caregivers  “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share… Continue reading

  • Days 186-187 Quickening Alive

      Every person has inherent worth simply because they are human. This awareness keeps us focused on what matters most. The story I am about to share involves caregivers, Diann Verdugo RN MSN Hospice Educator  and Julie Conway Hospice Volunteer… Continue reading

  • Days 257-258 Gift Yourself

    As we greet this day, I wish for you moments of quietude, to simply breathe, a little space to release the stresses, the worries and the to dos. Pause for a moment with me. Breathe in deeply. Let that breath… Continue reading

  • Days 83-84 Where God Dwells

      "Prayer is the bridge between our conscious and unconscious lives.  Often there is a large abyss between our thoughts, words, and actions, and the many images that emerge in our daydreams and night dreams.To pray is to connect these… Continue reading

  • Days 325-329 Reaching For Help

    The umbilical cord had just been cut. Suddenly separated from his mother my grandson reached for help. Almost every baby does it. Soon enough – usually sooner than we would like, we are taught to quit that. To stand on… Continue reading

  • Days 296-300 – The Impossibility of Love

    Admire the seekers. Admire the caregivers who risk everything for Love in order to “move this little bit of light toward/ us/ impossibly.” Continue reading

  • Days 180-181 – What Is the Shape of Empathy?

    “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our… Continue reading