#chaplainhacks

        My eleven-year-old daughter has fallen in love with “life-hack” videos. Found all over the internet, they show all sorts of useful shortcuts for life. Well, in this post I hope to share with you a (sorta) new chaplain-hack that I’ve (re)discovered.

               Many many years ago, in a seminary preaching class, the professor offered us a piece of advice. He suggested we create a rolodex or sorts, (or expanding file system) where we stored helpful references and illustrations we found. I ignored the advice…I couldn’t conceive of how I would organize something like that; but two recent events have persuaded me to change my mind.

               One, the many speaking engagements and memorial services I’ve been asked to speak at has left me scrounging for illustration material. You know, the short stories, quotes, or anecdotes that we pepper our talk with; to make it interesting and drive home our main point. The best teachers I’ve ever sat under used stories profusely.

               Two, I’ve been reading a lot of amazing and inspiring books lately. I’ve always been “that person” who writes in her books and leaves little side notes throughout the margins. While I’ve gathered an impressive Christian library, I’m coming to realize that when I need one of those notes, I don’t know where to look. For example, I know I’ve underlined and made note of many book passages that talk about faith. And when asked to speak at a memorial service, those would really come in handy…but who has time to riffle through all their old books to find the one gem?

               Whether it be a poem, short story, historical reference, quote…whatever, I’ve come to really wish I had taken my professors advice all those years ago. But it’s never too late! For me, I created a Word document and started creating headings in alphabetical order. Topics like: “Faith”, “Love”, “Service”, “Ministry of Presence” and “Forgiveness”. As I read or hear interesting illustrations I would like to use later, I paste them into the document. As it expands, I may need to use multiple documents for faster reference.

               I would like to leave you with three such illustrations that I’ve found that I wish every chaplain knew about. Maybe this will help you start your own such collection….but I really encourage you to start. You never know when your going to be asked to say the invocation at an event, or to conduct a wedding. Having illustrations that you like and relate to will help you be that much more prepared!

 1. At a funeral recently I heard the most amazing poem, “The Dash”. Here it is. 

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend.  He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning...to the end. 

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars..the house...the cash.  What matters is how we lived and loved and how we spend our dash. 

So think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.

To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more, And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. 

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash, Would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?  (By Linda Ellis)

 2. My second illustration is a short story, though it’s too long to post here. Regardless of your specific calling, our main ministry as Chaplains is the ministry of presence. Being there. Listening. Understanding. Patience.

               The famed Russian writer, Anton Chekov wrote a short story called “The Lament”. In it, an elderly man named Iona has lost his son. As the driver of a carriage (taxi) in town, he looks for someone to open up to, to share his burden. Instead, no one has the time or love to spare. I don’t want to spoil the ending; but I’ve used this story to show the importance of being available; of being kind; of being present. In our day-to-day busyness we can miss the person who most needs us. The over-worked cashier, the haggard college student, the frustrated barista. They are each an opportunity to be present. This short story drives that home. 

               I am attaching the PDF of the story, but it can also be found easily online by searching for it. iTunes also has it in an audiobook version. I had my chaplains listen to the iTunes reading while following along with their own printed version. It’s very poignant and meaningful.

 3. Finally, I leave you with a quote that I found while reading one of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s books, Life Together. This book is about what Christian community and fellowship should look like. What struck me was how much his words ring true of chaplaincy. 

“The prisoner, the sick person, the Christian in exile sees in the companionship of a fellow Christian a physical sign of the gracious presence of the triune God. Visitor and visited in loneliness recognize in each the Christ who is present in the body.” 

               Essentially, we are Christs’ hands and feet!

 There you are, just three illustrations that I hope you will find useful starting your own collection. Tell us what one of your favorite illustrations is by commenting below.