The Privilege of Connection

Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross tells a story about a woman she encountered while writing her groundbreaking book, On Death and Dying. Part of Dr. Kubler-Ross’ research involved interviewing dying patients in the hospital, trying to find out how they felt and what they thought as they faced death. As she went from room to room in the hospital, she began to notice a remarkable pattern. Sometimes she would go into a dying person’s room and the person would be calm, at peace, and tranquil. Almost invariably, she learned that that patient’s room had been cleaned by a certain hospital orderly.

One day, Dr. Kubler-Ross happened to run into this orderly in the hospital corridor. The doctor asked her, “What are you doing with my patients?” The orderly thought she was being reprimanded and responded, “I’m not doing anything with your patients.” “No, no. It’s a good thing,” corrected Kubler-Ross. “After you go into their rooms, they seem at peace. What are you doing with my patients?”

“I just talk to them,” the orderly said. “You know, I’ve had two babies of my own die on my lap. But God never abandoned me. I tell them that. I tell them that they aren’t alone, that God is with them, and that they don’t have to be afraid.”

It never ceases to amaze me how powerful real conversations can be. When we are open enough to listen (really listen) to the pain of others, and when we are able to share our own sense of brokenness, deep connections are made. We feel less alone. And often we are infused with a sense of hope.

Let us pray: Gracious God, we remember today what a privilege it is to be invited into both the brokenness and grace of other’s lives. We also remember that out of the ashes of despair can rise the seeds of hope, new life, and new possibilities. Meet each of us now in this moment and fill us with your peace. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.