What Matters?

Created on Thursday, 08 January 2009 10:37

Written by Rev. Denise Cordova

I recently returned from a trip to my home state to visit with my terminally ill stepfather. I had gone several times in 2008 knowing that this would probably be his last year on earth; he was battling lung cancer that metastasized to his liver. He passed away while I was there, sad under any circumstances but sadder still that he was only 57 years old.

Five years ago, no one had an inkling that he would be gone today. He wanted to die at home and my Mom wanted him to be there as well, but at 75, my Mom was in no position to take care of him, although she did the best she could with the help of Hospice. The last week of his life, he needed medication on the hour. As I helped tend to him, he continued to say "thank you" until he could no longer talk, but despite not being able to say the words, I could see in his eyes that his gratitude never wavered. At his weakest moments, gratefulness still poured out of him.

I believe that this was one of the things Jesus meant when he said, "Love your neighbor." That whenever we extend love, caring and grace to someone, we are manifesting God and the people around us recognize it. As I was helping my stepfather, giving him the medicine, cleaning out his mouth, holding his hand, singing to him, the look of gratefulness in his eyes means and will forever mean more to me than I can express. He didn't care that I'm a pastor or that I'm educated or that I have a decent job….none of that… all he saw and was blessed by was that I helped him when he needed it most.

That is clearly one of my proudest moments, not because of my ability to help, but because he allowed me to be there in his weakest moments. I am so grateful for the gift that he gave me, the knowledge that being allowed to care about and/or for someone is one of the highest honors we can receive. I guess Jesus knew what He was talking about, the result of loving your neighbor is the biggest reward bestowed upon us.