TED talks get me thinking. Recently I saw one about the single most underutilized resource for the medical world. Doctors have a boatload of things at their disposal when trying to heal their patients: technology, money, medicine, research, equipment, supplies, nurses, experience, peers. Just last week my cousin was describing the defibrillator that was surgically implanted in her chest to calm her heart in the event of erratic beating. She has a congenital condition that could kill her if this was not in place. She does not need to make a daily decision about whether to put on her defibrillator or not. It is already there.

 

But the speaker in this talk suggested that doctors could magnify their effectiveness by tapping into another energy stream... the patient and family.

It is not the usual scenario for a doctor to ask for suggestions from the person seeking help. He or she creates the treatment plan. But the patient and family have an enormous interest in finding a cure, which can come in pretty handy. I know of two movies that document true stories about how the parent found a dietary solution for their child, benefiting thousands of other children as well. One is Lorenzo's Oil, and another is First Do No Harm. 

 

When I think about spiritual health, I have many resources at my fingertips: reading the Word, spiritual growth groups, a daily effort to try harder. But there is something else that I have been blessed by as well... the people most impacted by my spiritual health. 

 

I pray at night with my twins. It is entrenched in the bedtime routine so I do not need to choose again each night. I have made a decision to include in my prayer something I am sorry for, something I am working on and someone else I am praying for. I notice that most evenings, before I admit my flaws in their innocent presence, there is a fluttering around my heart. It is hard to apologize in their hearing. 

 

"Dear Lord, I am sorry for being frustrated with Benjamin today."

 

"Please help me to not feel critical of Amanda."

 

Sometimes Hope or Aurelle will ask what happened. It is never for the purpose of chiding me, but rather because they care. 

 

Another aspect of the process is noticing that I have asked for the same thing for weeks or months. Because I have witnesses, I am more aware of this stalemate. They have refrained from criticizing me for sluggish progress. But it does jar me into action. 

 

The other night I was feisty before bed. I ranted around while they put on their pajamas. Then Hope spoke. 

 

"Mom, we know you are not very happy right now, but if you want to join us for prayers we would love to have you."

 

You have someone who wants you to be well. What would happen if you could bear to let them into the private failings of your day, and the hopes you carry for tomorrow?