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When Mourning Dawns |
Walking together through grief and loss.
This FREE grief support program allows you to identify the seasons of your grief and assists you in your grief walk. Dates: This 5 session video-based program will meet on Wednesdays: October 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Place: United Methodist Church, 833 3rd St. Reedsburg Please contact Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN for more information or to sign up for the class. Pre-registration is not required.
768-6249 2000 North Dewey Avenue, Reedsbug • www.ramchealth.com | |
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Spiritual Reflection for September 2009 |
The Tie that Binds
The Montana sky is as beautiful as you read about, but for me there was more to marvel at in Montana than the sky this past summer. I spent 7 days hiking with a group of 12 women. One of my sister’s was on the trip and I had met three of the women from Illinois before, but the rest of the women I was meeting for the first time, as was the case with many of the women on this trip. It was a powerful week, filled with adventure. Upon my return, I wondered how by spending one week together we had created such strong feelings toward one another? Let me reflect on this question with you and explain what I have come to identify as the tie that binds.
When we come together to share a common interest there is automatically something to talk about and talk we did. This group of women had been looking forward to spending time together hiking through Glacier National Park for months. The things we had in common to begin with were a love of nature, a willingness to hike the terrain, and a desire to meet new people. What I found in my short time with these women, however, was that we had much more in common. There was a connection between us just waiting to be revealed.
Fast friendships were made, really fast friendships, a sisterhood you might say. Within 24 hours the group encountered an unexpected circumstance and I watched the entire group rise to the occasion, each being supportive in their words, actions and quiet presence. They were vigilant in supporting one another as if they were holding on to the rope that was a lifeline for the other. Have you ever experienced this kind of connection, when people around you, strangers even, gather to offer their presence, their unfailing strength to assure that you will be protected? Was this that tie that binds?
The idea of a rope connecting us together continued to reveal itself throughout the week. Even when it seemed we were sinking (literally, we had stepped out onto an iceberg on Iceberg Lake, actually onto one and then another for a photo and the first one started to sink as we attempted to return to the shoreline) one hand and then another reached out with assurance that they were not going to leave until everyone was safe.
Beyond the connection within our group was the tie that bound us to others. As I looked into the eyes of a woman, who was not part of our group, in crisis the connection was visible. We were connected spiritually. As I looked into her eyes I knew there was no way I could leave this woman on the side of the mountain in distress and in the eyes of the other women in my group I could see that neither could they. We acted as one to support her, each of us fulfilling a different role toward a common goal, to get her safely off the mountain.
As you can imagine there was so much to reflect on in Glacier National Park and believe me I did a lot of reflecting. The beauty of the park was astounding, beyond words. The flowers were in full bloom and the master gardener had created a canvas of amazing color for all us to admire and appreciate in our own way. The mountains were immense and I am convinced that mountain miles are longer than road miles (maybe they are marked as the crow flies)! The lakes offered a perfect mirrored reflection of the shorelines, the mountains, and of anyone looking in. I could have picked 25 topics for reflection, no doubt, but the message I am being called to share with each of you is this, there is a tie that binds us all together in this world.
We are not separate. We are one. We have a common thread that runs through each of us and although we may not see it at times, when we falter and need someone to hold a little tighter to the rope someone does. A sister, a friend, an acquaintance, a perfect stranger will get a tug on the rope that says to them, “hold on someone is falling”. The tie binds. When we can identify the tie that binds us together, we can experience life with all of its joys and sorrows knowing we are not alone. We can live, love and laugh and that we (the “chicks with sticks” hiking group) did. We are a lifeline for each other and the spirit within is the tie that binds.
May God Bless You,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
Parish Nurse Coordinator
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Spiritual Reflection for August 2009 |
Summer Lights
Have you ever enjoyed something so much that you could not wait to tell someone about it? Have you ever wanted to share an experience it in such a way that it would inspire someone to want to experience it themselves? Well, while it is still summer I want to share a story with you that continues to make my spirit smile. Therefore, the topic of this reflection simply has to be summer lights.
I often hear people talk about the beautiful summer nights, but not so often do I hear about the beauty of the summer lights. One Friday night in July my husband and I took the opportunity to spend an evening out on a piece of land we own in the country, quite a distance from towns or villages where the street lights can distort the natural lighting of the night sky, our purpose; to watch the stars come out. I had campaigned for this venture for a couple of years and finally we were off to do some star gazing, little did I know we were in for a show.
Having waited so long for this evening to come for us to simply experience the summer sky I became nervous when the clouds started moving in about 8:00 p.m. My anticipated sky watching was being threatened by cloud cover. I quietly prayed for God to push away the clouds so that I could see the first star of evening pierce the dark sky.
As we walked across the acreage darkness began to slip between the daisies, bee balm, and tall blades of grass. The show was about to start. My eyes began to adjust to the darkness and then about 9:00 p.m. the clouds began to break up and we settled into a spot for watching the night sky. I anxiously awaited the first light in the darkness. What a surprise when the first summer light in the night was that of a firefly flickering allusively across the horizon against the tall grass; first one, then two, then ten, then twenty. They twinkled in front of us as if they were the opening act. My spirit began to giggle.
Not to be outdone the first star in the sky appeared in the blink of an eye. It did not start out as a dim light gaining power over time. No, it popped into place bright and beautiful. Methodically, one by one other stars popped into place until as if on cue hundreds at a time sparkled in the sky. What a show. We had started counting the stars and within minutes there was no possible way to count the stars. Meanwhile the fireflies kept up their end of the show, flashing in front of us vying for attention. My spirit laughed out loud.
We began to notice flashes of light coming from behind us, but bright enough to flash in front of us. We were not sure if the flashes were fireworks or what exactly. With some attention to the direction of the flashes we determined it was lightning. Around the edges of a clear sky flashes like those from a camera lit up the night. We crawled into the truck as the lightning took on a much more distinct form, that of a lightning bolt! What a show! My spirit was exhilarated.
It was about 10:30 when the rain came and the lightning danced around the sky with sharp bolts and soft flashes causing the raindrops to sparkle on the windows of the truck. We settled in, the rain doing its part in lulling us to sleep. Sometime later I woke for the final act in summer lights. There straight up in the sky was an amazing gentle moon with a glow that cast light across the valleys and into the window of the truck nudging me to pay attention. And I did. I watched as the wet foliage glistened in the moonlight. My spirit was in reverent awe.
So many things in life are taken for granted. The amazing summer lights are a gift from God. The show did not cost us one penny, but the impact on my spirit was priceless. Those of you who have read my reflections before know that the sky is my communication tool with God. I believe he had a message for me that evening in the summer lights. Summer is not over, so I want to encourage you to find a back road in the country, or a piece of land (with permission) and stay late into the night watching the summer lights. I can assure you if you watch with your spirit you will not be disappointed. You will be enlightened!
May God Bless you,
Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies;
yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world. Psalm 19:1-4
| | Support Group for Stroke Survivors & CaregiversDates: Second Tuesday of the month, through NovemberTime: 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Place: Fusch Community Center, ReedsburgUpcoming Spring Meeting Dates: • Tuesday, July 14: Barbara Elmer’s Book Review -
My Stroke of Insight• Tuesday, August 11: Sue Nagelkirk, UW Extension -
Support for the Caregiver• Tuesday, September 8: To be announced • October: Freedom Train Ride
(we’ll be meeting on a Friday, watch for date)• November: Jennifer Richards, Certified Orthotist -
Assistive Devices for Foot DropTo register for this FREE support
program or for more information
contact Tammy Koenecke, RN,
Parish Nurse at 608-768-6249. Sponsored by Reedsburg Area Medical Center.2000 North Dewey Avenue Reedsburg • www.ramchealth.com • 608-524-6487 |
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July 2009 |
Drop the Rock
During last week of May, I attended a retreat in Door County. I had the privilege of co-leading this retreat, yet took the opportunity to participate in the various activities as well. The first night, we were asked to write upon a stone that which was holding us down, burdening us, or preventing us from experiencing peace, joy, God’s love. We were instructed to then carry our rock with us to Peninsula State Park the next morning and drop the rock into the bay. Sometimes an activity as simple as dropping a rock into the water can have a deeper message. Let this be my topic for reflection.
The story begins with an explanation of how a woman’s mother, as a teenager, wanted to see how deep the water was in a rock quarry. She decided to jump into the water holding onto a rock. As she did she found herself sinking deeper and deeper into the dark water. She panicked at first not knowing what to do. Then she realized that she need only to release the rock and she would be saved. The leader went on to describe the way many of us continue to hang onto things that cause us pain and suffering. We carry things that burden us needlessly. So she invited us to ponder on that which was dragging us deeper into the depths of darkness. What weight did we carry that needed to be dropped so that our spirit would not die from its weight? That was the question we were to reflect on before morning.
The next morning I wrote a word on my rock. Self-doubt. There it was, the weight I wanted to unload, to drop into the water asking God to release me from the heaviness it represented in my heart. We began to hike along the shores of Peninsula State Park and during a quiet reflective time we were directed to drop the rock into the water. I sat quietly, waiting (for the right moment I guess). I actually smiled to myself thinking how will I know it is the right time? I wondered, ‘isn’t right now the right time?’ ‘Why wasn’t it something I did right away, even before I paused to sit down?’
So I reached into my pocket and gave it a fling and wouldn’t you know it, it didn’t make the water! It went click and landed among the thousands of rocks on the shore. One of the other women in the group heard it and looked my way and we laughed under our breath (it was after all suppose to be a time of silent reflection).
How symbolic! Sometimes you can try to get rid of things, drop them from your mind, remove them from your heart, but they really do not get completely dropped. Now I had a rock somewhere amongst the rocks on the shoreline with a burden I had hoped to drop. I began to search for my burden. White stones of all shapes and sizes formed the shoreline and I wondered how I would ever find it. I thought to myself, ‘maybe it is dropped far enough to be effective. Perhaps God has forgiven me for carrying this burden and has allowed me to be rid of it’.
Just then it showed up. There it was again for me to pick up. I was faced with a choice. I could put it back in my pocket for another place and time or I could give it another fling to represent a desire to be rid of the weight it imposed on my heart. I chose to give it a fling realizing that even when we drop the rocks that weigh us down they might surface again and we will have to choose whether we will continue to carry the rock or drop it into deeper water.
Suddenly, the refrain of a song came to mind, the song is Come To Me, All Who Are Weary, by Dan Schutte, and is based on chapter 11 of Matthew’s gospel. The words of the refrain are, “come unto me all who are weary and find rest for your soul, come to me all who are burdened you shall learn from me”. Indeed I was learning even through the process of dropping my rock.
The ritual of dropping a rock with a burden attached to it signifies a desire to prepare ones heart for transformation. One at a time, each of us can drop the rock(s) that weigh us down and prepare our heart for God’s transformation to take place deep within finding the peace and joy of living in his love. Go ahead, drop the rock.
May God Bless you,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC
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June 2009 |
Spiritual Reflection for June 2009
I Told You So
It is official. Winter is over. Do you ever wonder if God is thinking, I told you so? Every year we witness the changing of the seasons, but don’t we sometimes question whether the change will really happen? There are rich messages for trusting God in the changing of the seasons. So, too, are the changing seasons of our lives filled with messages about trusting God. Let me offer this reflection on the topic of trusting God and the ever famous statement, I told you so.
Has anyone ever asked you for your advice, your opinion, or your direction? After you shared your wisdom with them have they ever disregarded it as though they did not trust you? Have you ever wanted to say, I told you so, when things work out the way you had suggested in the first place? Have you ever wanted to say, I told you so, when they came to you disappointed that they had not trusted your wisdom, your judgment, your direction in the first place? Do you suppose God would like to say, I told you so, when we have failed to trust his wisdom, his judgment, his direction in the first place?
I imagine he would, but as any good parent or friend knows it is simply something you do not say. Rather you wait patiently, as God waits, for the development of a trusting relationship, for the relationship to deepen. In this long wait for winters end I found myself trusting God’s timing would be perfect in answering a prayer for my children. Then as the deadline for an answer drew near I began to doubt what I knew to be true. God would provide the details in perfect timing I kept telling myself, but doubt and fear crept into my mind. What would happen if the plan fell through? What if things did not work out? More importantly, where was my trust going?
I began to consider the bigger picture in this story that was unfolding. Isn’t it true that some of the best stories in our lives have a suspenseful chapter or two, one that allows God’s greatness to shine through in the final chapter? Exemplifying the power of God’s never failing love? You know a chapter that ends with sort of an I told you so flair? This kind of ending reminds me how important it is to totally trust God’s power in supporting me through whatever situation I find myself in.
I pondered the reason, the purpose of the suspense chapter. I wondered if the suspense chapter was filled with the evil of Satan’s presence. I wondered if these chapters in life provided me with a time where God trusted me to hold onto his promises for my life while Satan temped me with doubt and fear. Screaming in my ear all the evil that could happen, telling me God does not love me or care about me, suggesting that if God loved me he would not allow me to experience struggles or scary times in my life. I have come to believe that perhaps the times of doubt and fear are indeed caused by the loud voice of evil.
Beyond the loud voice of evil, however, was the gentle, patient whisper of God that called out to me during this time of doubt and fear and asked me again to trust in him beyond my own understanding. In Proverbs 3:5-6 we read, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make you paths straight”. It was only in quieting myself enough to hear the gentle whisper of God’s love that my spirit was strengthen to do battle against the evil thoughts of doubt and fear.
I am not sure about you, but I am grateful that God does not say, I told you so every time this child of his doubts his infinite wisdom. He is a patient, gracious God and I am a child continuing to deepen my relationship with him. In the quiet moments set aside to listen to the voice of God I can do battle against the loud voice of evil. May your battles with the loud voice of evil be fought by listening for the whisper of God that says trust in me rather than I told you so.
May God Bless you,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
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May 2009 |
Spiritual Reflection for May 2009
Called to Grow
I wonder if the flowers of spring have as much resistance to growing as I sometimes do. Have you ever dreamed about something and then been encouraged to do something about it? Twice now in the past few weeks I have been encouraged to step out in faith and pursue one of my dreams. I want to share my reflection with you about being called to grow with the hope that it will inspire you to grow, too.
Recently, in celebration of my 50th birthday, my brother asked me what I wanted to do in the next 5 years. I shared a couple of goals I have. Two weeks later I made a contact with a woman who shared a resource with me for beginning the process for attaining one of my goals. Okay, so I stated a goal out loud in the presence of family and then I had a woman whom I had never met before share with me a resource that could get the ball rolling. Does it need to be any clearer than that? I am being called to grow in my faith that God is leading me to reach a goal that he has set for my life journey.
Ready, set, grow…into my mind comes fear, doubt, time constraints, work demands, excuses. I can’t do it. I don’t want to do it. It will be hard work. At the same time these negative thoughts and excuses are rolling around in my head so too is a song by Matthew West entitled, The Motions. In the refrain are the following words, “I don’t wanna to spend my whole life asking; what if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions”. These words were doing battle with my negative thoughts and excuses.
What’s repeating in your head? What are you being called to do? God tells us he will grow us into the purpose he has called us for. He will not take us where he will not sustain us. What is there to fear in growing? Why the reluctance? More importantly for me, what if my time runs out before I complete my purpose on earth, the task I am being called to?
Isn’t it easier to avoid times of growth? Maybe. Yet with every struggle that I have ever had in moving toward that which I had been called something good, something rich has been experienced. The struggles have added a deep richness to my life that I would have never missed, I suppose, had I not followed through, but today I cannot imagine my life without the achievement of each goal I have attained. I have been privileged to have others share their stories of struggle with me. They share the ways by which they overcame their fears and faced their challenges. They also share with me the impact the struggle has had on their faith, on the depth of their spiritual understanding in the bigger picture.
I wonder if the tulips doubt whether they will be able to push through the packed soil or provide enough color to cause us to smile with awe. So when thoughts like, I’m not good enough, I’m not smart enough, rich enough, talented enough, not ______ enough (you fill in the blank) come to your mind let them be all the more reason to step out and grow.
Well then where do I start? It is up to me to make the next move. God has presented the opportunities for goal setting, inspiring people surround me with confidence, potential resources have been identified. God is preparing me to grow, to look toward the future and ask where do I start, not as a doubtful question but as a guiding question to outlining the process. Today I pray for direction in accomplishing the work God has started in me and to begin let go of the doubts and fears so that I will not have to wonder, “what if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions”.
The lessons I have learned through this reflection are these,
1. I must love life based on a relationship with God as the director of my journey.
2. I must ask what is next, Lord, instead of questioning how is it possible, Lord?
3. I must be open and willing to grow.
What would happen if spring resisted the struggle for new growth? What if the flowers of spring chose not to push through the cold, packed soil to add beauty and define God’s presence in our lives? I believe we, too, are called to grow and push through the struggle, therefore, defining to those around us God’s presence in our lives.
May God Bless you,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC (Find the lyrics to Matthew West’s The Motions simply Google-Matthew West)
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April 2009 |
Spiritual Reflection for April 2009
In or Out
It’s springtime and it brings me great joy to wait for the precious signs of spring to arrive. I wait for the robin to sing his song. I wait for new shoots to push forth through the soil. I wait for the day I can leave my coat in the car! Before you know it spring literally does spring forth. All around you there will be new life and an abundance of new energy. You will find this new energy within yourself as well. Recently, in conversation with my family about our pending schedules I was reminded of something that cannot wait and that is carving in or carving out time in my schedule for my spiritual health. Let this be our topic for reflection.
Because I tend to be so energized once spring arrives, I often find myself overwhelmed with activity. I jump in with both feet and before I know it the flow of activity is picking up speed. Suddenly, I am at risk of loosing my balance and being swept away in a frenzy of activity and before long I do not know which end is up. Pressure builds and my spirit is challenged to carry the burden. It cries out for renewal, for recreation, to be re-energized.
Picture if you will a spring of water that pours forth from the earth. It bubbles up following the path of least resistance. Soon, with the addition of water pressure it becomes a stream moving over the soil, leaves, twigs and rocks. As the stream gains momentum it begins to carve a path into the soil. A crevice is carved and a creek is formed. Over time there is a potential for the creek to become a river. When I sit along side of a stream, creek or river there is a sense of peace in listening to the babbling sound it makes as it tumbles over the rocks. The water moves constantly forward. Constant motion. Forward motion. There is a rhythm to the movement. It is truly beautiful in many ways.
Contrast this visual in your mind with the stream that flows into a pool of water, a pond or lake formation and then returns to the its original form. There is a new picture of peace that is formed in my mind. The constant motion of the water becomes stilled; the flow is paused, slowed a bit. A new space is created for recreation. Granted we can use a river for recreation, but a pool of water invites us to sit and ponder, fish, or swim in a more relaxed manner.
Perhaps my message is difficult to envision, let me try to clarify, I believe that if we let our daily activities rush over us like a stream or a river we will find joy and peace to a certain degree, but we run the risk of having our spirit washed over and soon the stress will cause the spirit to become limp and lifeless. If we, however, take the time to carve in or out time in our busy lives for recreation we will be renewing and re-energizing our spirit more regularly maintaining the spiritual strength we need to participate in the activities we have before us.
Sometimes we are aware of the hectic pace proposed for us and can carve time into our schedule in advance to protect our spirit by ensuring time for yourself. Other times we can see that the stream of activity is picking up speed and in an effort to divert the pressure of the hectic schedule we can carve out segments of time to pause and renew our spirit. Either way carving in or carving out time to protect our spiritual health will enhance our overall health.
After a long winter I am anxious to welcome spring with open arms, but first I am going to carve out segments of time into my schedule before the flow of fun comes rushing at me at full speed. I invite you to do the same.
May God Bless you,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC | |
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March 2009 |
Spiritual Reflection for March 2009Cut the Chatter Recently my husband and I were on a vacation out west skiing. As our vacation approached I anxiously looked forward to the uninterrupted conversations we would have. No work distractions. No cold callers. No meetings or schedules. It is funny how things work out when we gather expectations into our head. Twenty-four hours into our travel I lost my voice. Gone. I had never experienced laryngitis to that extent before, but there it was I certainly had a serious case of it. To say the least I had to cut the chatter. Any utterance of a word or forming of a sound had to be done with great respect to limiting any strain on my vocal chords. Thank you God for a great topic for reflection, cut the chatter. For those of you who know my husband he lends toward the quiet type. He is not the kind of person who will talk you ear off. Imagine if you will the scenario, the silence was deafening at times. Now please don’t get me wrong, I like silence, love it at times, but I was silent for 3 full days, my own silence was deafening to me. Some of you might think that would be heavenly to have someone in your family lose their voice. More than one man on the trip commented that way when he Keith explained that I had laryngitis, “That might not be so bad”, they’d smile (I would venture to say Keith might have enjoyed the silence at least a little). The first day was really difficult. Frustrating! The inability to share my feelings about the beauty around us, to explain what I needed or to ask him a question about anything was really tough. Then it occurred to me, God had given me an opportunity to see the way in which we often fill our lives with mindless chatter. In my inability to talk I was not able to fill the space in my relationship with a lot of mindless chatter. Ultimately, Keith and I were able to communicate what needed to be expressed. We enjoyed the beauty of the morning and evening sky, prepared great meals together and relaxed in the silent presence of one anther. I began to take notice of others around us, the way they were in relationship with one another. I found it interesting to see people at the ski lodges sitting together, but talking on their cell phones instead of talking to each other. I highly doubt there was couple or group allowing themselves to simply be in the presence of one another without idle chatter. Honestly, I likely only experienced this perception because I could not talk or use my cell phone not even if I would have needed to. I smiled to myself at the absurdity of taking it along with me on the mountain, but I did. In the absence of vocal chatter, my spirit was given the opportunity to speak up. I thought I heard my spirit most of the time. I did not realize until I lost my voice that I need to listen even more intently. I became sharply aware of my spirit’s need to be expressed. I am most used to using words to do that, but without a voice I had to find other ways to express joy, pain, love, sorrow. Believe me; I am delighted to have my voice returning. For those of you who know me I am sure this scenario was hard to imagine, but I now see it as a gift teaching me to listen more closely to my own spirit and to be attentive toward those with no voice. It has encouraged me to look more deeply for the ways they might be expressing their true spirit. Through this experience I gained a new awareness of the value of the spoken word. By the 4th day, when my voice began to return, I selected and used my words sparingly remaining awed by the ability to communicate that which is necessary without giving way to the use of idle talk, appreciating the presence of the spiritual connection in my relationship. I want to encourage you to cut the chatter in your life, slow the idle talk, and identify with deep appreciation the spiritual connectedness in your relationships. May God Bless you, Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC I have found new insight into the meaning of idle chatter from these verses in Proverbs. He who guards his moth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 Go from the presence of a foolish man when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. Proverbs 14:7 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is. Proverbs 15:23 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 | |
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February 2009 |
Spiritual Reflection for February 2009What’s Good About It Well the actual temperature is –19 and the wind chill is – 40 so as I exit the bed to greet the morning I wonder to myself, what’s good about it, before I utter those words, Good Morning! Beyond being a great conversation starter this morning’s weather has prompted a topic for reflection. Let’s take some time to consider what’s good about it, whatever it might be. This frigid morning while I am searching for the good in it, it occurs to me that God’s faithfulness is exhibited in each sunrise. God’s faithfulness is evident in the sunset at the close of each day. Therefore, there must then be something good behind every difficulty we face or God would give up on creating a new day, a new opportunity for each of us. Have you ever been blindsided by a piece of information you were oblivious to? Perhaps something happens that you would never have imagined happening? Maybe you discover that someone has kept a secret from you and it hurts as you learn the details or a family member has acted in a way that embarrasses you. Have you ever wondered, what good will ever come from it? Although your initial response to unwanted news might be to question God’s presence at all, to blame someone or something for the circumstances, or to question, how could this happen, I believe it is important to first search out what is good about the situation or it will quickly grow into something it is not. We must maintain a balanced perspective and consider potential options before we jump to conclusions or we will find ourselves in a pit of doom. In this world there is often more focus on what is wrong or bad about any given situation than what is good. For instance, the media is excellent at bombarding us with negative news. They will inform us again and again about the wind chill being 40 below without a mention of the bright sunshine. Granted it is important for us to know we should bundle up when we go outside, but in Wisconsin that should be a given. My spirit cries, ‘Forget the gloom and doom. Tell me about the good stuff’. So I always try to ask myself, what is good about it? Because, I believe there is something good that will come out of every situation, that God will bring all things into good. My spirit, your spirit, longs to know the good in others, in our circumstances, in ourselves and that spirit dwells within us to protect us from the brokenness of evil. The spirit is there to heal the heart in difficult times. Recently, I had a conversation with a friend of mine who had seen a program on TV predicting the end of the world. It cited evidence from the Mayan tribe and ancient China predicts the world will end on a certain date. What would be good about that? Actually, for those of us who believe in eternal life, the good could be that there would no longer be any pain or suffering and there would be an end to all evil. Certainly, it takes a well-rested spirit and a healthy relationship with God to support the weight of gloom and doom and to be able to identify, what’s good about it. My spirit is much better equipped to identify good when it is rested and when I have taken time to nurture my relationship with God. I encourage you to rest your spirit, protect it from the constant negativity portrayed in the media or in neighborhood gossip. Read an inspirational book. Listen to music. Laugh over lunch. Daydream. These simple activities will strengthen your spirit to be ready to identify the good when someone asks you, what’s good about it? May God Bless You, Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:26-28
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January 2009 |
Spiritual Reflection for January 2009
Making Ends Meet
As I am writing this letter the year is coming to an end. Christmas is fast approaching and the tax bill has arrived. Somehow this time of the year lends itself to questions about making ends meet. In this reflection, however, I want to address another meaning for “making ends meet” as it applies to our spiritual health.
This reflection was prompted by a visit I had with a woman recently. We had a casual conversation about what to do when you feel pulled in different directions. She was feeling stressed in her job. She was questioning whether she might be experiencing “burn-out”. She shared with me her initial love for her work and went on to say that although she cannot put a finger on what it is that is moving her away from her earlier sentiments, she knows that each day is a struggle to come to work. She is certainly not alone. Many people have these feelings and although they share the desire to try something different for a while, they quickly qualify their desire with the reality of financial need and what a risk it would be in this time of economical crisis to leave their job and look for something else. It seems to me as though their spirit is crying out for balance.
One of the things I always ask people when they express stress related to their commitments is whether they have taken time away from their commitments. They often cannot imagine taking time away when they are so swamped. They think it would only add to their stress rather than relieve it. When our life is on a horizontal spectrum this focused attention to the commitment end offsets the balance and begins to tip our lives upside down. We lose our spiritual balance.
We often view our lives on a linear spectrum. Work on one end, rest on the other. Commitments on one end, dreams on the other. The ends of the spectrum can seem miles apart and we struggle to find a middle ground, a place for balance. What if instead of settling for a middle ground we connected those ends and created a circle. God’s strength can grasp each end of the spectrum and pull them together allowing us to incorporate our work, our commitments, our rest and our dreams in a form providing stability. Rather than having our spirit pulled in one direction and then another it can become fluid flowing from one thing to the next without feeling as though the balance is going to be too heavily weighted on one end and upset our whole being.
When God holds us together and stands in the center of your life the spectrum is less scary. If we envision a more circular fashion for our life the view of our life is enhanced. We do not lose site of where we have been, yet from the center of our being we can also see the opportunities more clearly for meeting our commitments and achieving our dreams. We can see how dependent each life event is upon another in the circle of life.
How can we begin to form a circular spectrum with Christ’s love holding the ends together so that no one area of our life gets more attention than the other? There are a number of strategies but I believe the first one requires us to get to know ourselves a little better. Ask yourself this question, who am I? This question then requires an answer much deeper than a list of personal data. Beyond your name, place of residency, job title, household roles, and community memberships is a spirit that desires to be known. There is only one you, only one me. If I don’t know me, how can I begin to be me? If you do not know who you are beyond these descriptors, how can you be you?
So, get to know yourself. Not who you think you should be, but who you are. Ask yourself these questions,
1. What do I believe and why? (Be sure to answer the why with more than, I just do!)
2. Where do I find peace and comfort?
3. Where do I find support in times of struggle?
4. When do I rest? How do I rest?
5. What do I want to leave with the world?
One question will likely lead to others, I encourage you to answer them. This process will not happen quickly, nor is it to be done only once in a lifetime. You see if your life is circular you will naturally come upon these questions again and you will need to answer them again. Everything you experience in life changes who you are and so the answers may change as well.
God’s strength will support your spiritual balance as you step off the scale into the circle of life firmly supported by God’s love. He will always be there holding our lives, yours and mine, making ends meet.
May God Bless You in the New Year,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN, MASL
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC
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December 2008 |
Spiritual Reflection for December 2008
In the Darkness of Night
The morning air is crisp and smells like winter as I ponder the message that has been long in coming. Today in the darkness of night God has given clarity to a message that began last winter. Now is the time for me to share it with you.
One moon light night last winter I was encouraged to pull myself out of bed and go for a walk. First, understand that I am not easily aroused at 4:30 a.m., which still constitutes nighttime in the dead of winter, but this particular night the moon was so bright I could not imagine rolling over and going back to sleep. The night sky was incredible, a black backdrop enhanced the sparkling stars and a brilliant full moon caused the snow to glisten with diamonds. Breathtaking! As I walked I thanked God for the beauty of this winter’s night and then, I noticed shadows, shadows in the darkness. There was so much light in the darkness that shadows existed. There had to be a message here, but what was it. I sat with it, reflected on it, jotted down notes about it, but nothing became of it. I put it aside as simply a pleasurable walk with God.
In March I experienced a personal darkness in the loss of my brother-in-law. Over the year I have shared many tears with others experiencing their own personal darkness. Our community suffered deep darkness in the June floods. In September I traveled to Africa. There I experienced the darkness of poverty. In the last months of this year we, as a nation, have experienced darkness in our sliding economy and many individuals have experienced the darkness of job losses.
So today once again walking in the darkness before sunrise, I am thinking about the Christmas season, reflecting on the darkness and then it hit me. The message God started last winter and shared with me throughout this past year gained clarity in the darkness. Jesus was born in the darkness of night. Jesus comes to us in our darkness. Jesus is present around the world and this time, this season is perfectly placed for us to focus on what we really need in darkness, the Light of a Savior.
Last winter the light casting shadows was the light of Christ guarding my way as I walked. Even when I could not see what was in the shadows, I could keep my focus on the light and not be afraid. As the shadows entered my heart when my brother-in-law died it was the light of Christ that kept me from closing down to fear. As I watched others deal with the loss of their home in the flood many shared their faith in Jesus Christ as their stronghold. Others who mourn the loss of a loved one share openly their trust in the Lord not knowing what they would do if they did not have Jesus in their life. A young man in Africa shared with me the presence of God in the midst of chaos through by exhibiting a calm spirit.
In the darkness of night, when we are burdened or afraid, Jesus Christ brings us hope. He is the light we can count on to add clarity to our lives. But you see the message was not revealed all at once. The reasons for our losses and burdens will likely not be cleared up all at once either. The shadows of night will no doubt be there from time to time, but the light of Christ will light our way through the darkness. Over time there may be some clarity to our experiences. The shadows in my life may not be removed, but my path will become clear enough for me to make my way guided by the light that comes in the darkness of night. The light of a Savior.
I wish you a Christmas Season filled with hope.May God Bless You, Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC Psalm 139:11
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you. | |
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November 2008 |
In the Midst of Chaos
It is good to be writing you this letter today. I have a grateful heart for my experiences in Africa a few weeks ago and a new appreciation for my home in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, USA. While I was gone there were many things happening in the news here in the US regarding the economy and the stability of our country. There seems to be a lot of focus on this subject. May I reflect with you here on the topic of being in the midst of chaos?
What does it mean for us to be experiencing this chaos in our life? Is there a greater purpose in these events happening around us? I trust there is. It will be up to each of us to discover the true purpose of our situations, which is true of any chaotic time in our life. I want to share with you a story that helped me sort out the purpose.
While I was in Africa I had the opportunity to visit a school for albino children and blind children. There is so much I could say about this experience, but I will try to focus on one story. This boarding school had 99 children, ages 8 to 14 and 40 beds. Some children slept 2 to a bed and those not in a bed slept on the concrete. There were no toys at the school, not even a ball, not one single toy. The children were clean, their beds were clean and the teacher there (who had attended as a blind student and returned to teach these children) was very kind and grateful to have us there; initially delivering malaria nets to cover the children’s beds and then for our return visit delivering miscellaneous toys, matchbox cars, stuffed animals, jump ropes, balls, books, safari hats and more importantly 20 mattresses with the promise of 20 more to be delivered the following week.
We (the group of Rotarians I traveled with) distributed a safari hat and a toy to each child as they stood quietly in line, even to the point of causing us to wonder if they had ever played with toys before. We wondered if they know what to do with them? As they continued to stand quietly in line wearing their safari hats and holding the toys in their hands we felt drawn to initiate play with the children, engaging them to play with one another. Before long there was a lovely song in the air, the song of children laughing. My heart was so lifted by this experience of bringing laughter into the lives of these children that day.
A group of us began talking about the day and as I turned around I saw a blind young man, probably 13 or 14 standing perfectly still in his place in the line that no longer existed with no one around him and somehow no toy in his hand. The other children all running and laughing and as I still picture the scene, there was chaos all around him and he was calmly standing in the midst of it. My heart broke and I fought the tears that wanted to come gushing forward. I went over to this young man and took his hand, spoke to him and led him to a group of boys playing with cars. I asked if they could show the cars to their friend and they happily did so. He began to interact with the other boys in the activity.
I noticed that my heart became angry about this situation. The disparity of the school, the fact that my grandchildren and so many children in the US have more toys than they can possibly play with and these children had none, but also at God for letting this young man live his life in darkness. I wondered, what was the purpose of this young man’s life? How would he fulfill his purpose with such a disadvantaged life (seen through my eyes)?
Well the tears I felt for that young man continue to flow every time I tell this story, but no longer in wonder of his purpose, but rather in gratitude for all he showed me through his eyes. He demonstrated to me what I need to do in the chaos. I need to trust that God will intervene. This young man allowed God to reveal to me a depth of my own compassion that I was unaware of, the level of trust that can exist in chaos, and the level of gratitude that needs to be present in all circumstances.
We are likely to face some uncertainty and instability in the days and months ahead. Chaos might invade our life. You might think there is no comparison between the chaos of that day at the school and the chaos of our financial future, but I disagree. I believe that in the midst of any kind of chaos if our spirit is as calm as that young man demonstrated our blindness will be removed and we will be able to see God in the midst of the chaos.
May God Bless You,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:2-6
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October 2008 |
GO AHEAD, SAY IT
This morning as I am being deterred from my walk these four words, GO AHEAD, SAY IT, are stirring in my head. I have been preparing for a trip to Africa and by the time you read this reflection I will be recovering from jetlag, so they tell me. Have you ever prepared for a trip and then felt the need to give someone a call, write letters to loved ones, or even prepare a will? Often times it is in our plans to leave our physical home that we begin to ponder what we want to happen before we leave our earthly home. I want to take the time to share with you a reflection on the topic of saying the hard stuff.
Perhaps it becomes clearer to us when we are planning a trip or are facing a change in our health, but we ultimately do not know how things are going to turn out. Will the trip be safe? Will we be healed of our illness? Will our loved one recover? But just because we are more aware of our own mortality during these times this awareness does not make the topic any easier to talk about. There can be; a fear of saying the wrong thing or a desire to protect the one we love from knowing the dangers, risks, or prognosis of the situation. Based on my own experience, the thoughts are already there. In some ways I think this heightened awareness can be a gift to us. A time for sharing love, laughter, tears, or fears more openly with those around us. Talking about it, rather than just thinking about it, provides a freedom to release any fear and begin the process of openly expressing ones feelings.
So, GO AHEAD, SAY IT. Well it is not that easy for some reason. I am having trouble getting onto this page exactly what I think God wants me to say because I am afraid these words will make you sad, make you angry, make you feel guilty, even make you cry. Though, as I continue to care about people who are grieving I am made even more aware of the urgency for saying what you want to say to those you care about.
My brother-in-law died six months ago and many days I remember the last time I talked with him. He walked by my office and we waved at each other, he said he was on his way to see someone and wondered if he was in the right area. I nodded and simply said, “Yes, you’re headed the right way”. Do you think I ever wish I would have walked with him and shared more time in conversation? Absolutely! Every time I think about it. He was gone before I ever had a chance to say another word to him.
We all do this when someone dies. We review the last words we said. We can never predict when our last words will be shared, nor should we live in fear that every word might be our last. So what should we do? We should; GO AHEAD, SAY IT. Don’t hold back on those feelings that want to be expressed. Don’t leave out those gestures of kindness toward others. Don’t hesitate to write letters of love to family members and friends. Don’t put off thanking someone for all they have done for you over the years. When your spirit is moving you to visit someone, visit them. When your spirit moves you to call someone and you think you are too busy or they are too busy, call them. Celebrate the time you have together. Seek forgiveness when you have wronged someone. Tell someone if they have hurt you so that you can resolve the hurt, quite often the other person is unaware of the hurt they have caused and appreciate you telling them so that the heavy feeling in the relationship can be lifted.
One of the things that keeps coming into my mind as I seem to be pondering this whole idea of not knowing when my life will end, which seems to be particularly on my mind in light of my trip, is this; don’t be silly, nothing is going to happen, people travel all the time, just forget it, don’t make people worry, God is in control. The question following these thoughts is this; what is the worst that can happen? My family and friends will know I love them. People in my life will know I am grateful for their presence. Maybe someone will read this reflection and be prompted to share openly their feelings about death and dying, their fears about being alone, or their need for support. If these are the worst things that can happen to us, why hesitate, GO AHEAD, SAY IT!
Here goes, I am thankful for the blessings of my family and friends and love them dearly. I am grateful for all the people who have touched my life. I love this community and my work. I hope to continue to serve others in need. Thank you for allowing me to reflect with you every month on the messages God sends me to share with you. Now, that wasn’t so hard after all. I think it is a good start! Do not worry about when your life will end or when your loved ones life will end, but rather live each day as if it were the last one you had to share with others on this earth and please tell those around you how much they mean to you.
May God Bless You,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC Family and friends are gifts to the end
Memories shared are there to defend,
the end. For God so loved the world that he gave is only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him will not perish
but have eternal life. John 3:16
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September 2008 |
Spinning Out of ControlThere is something about September that has always been appealing to me. As I walked one August morning I found myself longing for September. What was it about the beginning of fall that I longed for that morning? It was the end of the spinning, a new beginning, an opportunity for centering. I wish to share with you a reflection on the topic of spinning out of control.
As I walked I thought about the last weeks of summer filled with activity, almost frantically packing in one activity after another just to get it all in before summers end. It seemed as though the days were beginning to fly by faster and faster before my eyes. I suddenly remembered having a top as a child and it occurred to me that life is very much like a top in a couple of ways. Perhaps the familiarity with this childhood toy is the reason God prompted me to use it as an example of the message being sent.
The top I had growing up was very colorful and intricately detailed. When held upright and gently twirled you could still identify the colors as it spun before your eyes. However, when the top was encouraged to spin faster and faster the colors began to run together and even became dull almost negligible. There was certainly no chance to identifying any true color or design when the top was spinning that hard. The faster the top spun the more out of control it became, slipping away from the hand that was spinning it. For a while once released the top would stand upright and almost dance across the floor. Eventually, though it would begin to wobble, clatter to the floor and stop.
Is this perhaps what happens to our spirit when we are encouraged by this world to spin faster and faster? Take on one more task, complete one more job, see one more sight, make a little more money, do, do, do. Soon we are spinning so fast we begin to pull away from the one keeping us centered and stable. We break away and spin on our own further and further away from our source of strength.
I believe that the colors and design of my spirit are brighter when I spin under the guidance of my creator. It is my hope that others can see this true spirit. Unfortunately, I know all too well that I am guilty of coming dangerously close to spinning out of control and I know it is then that my true spirit is dulled. It is blurred by the rapid spin I get myself into. In those last weeks of August I found myself spinning away from my center and quickly beginning to topple over and bump against the floor. By allowing myself to a stop and be centered once again I hope to recover the color of my true spirit and bring it back into view.
When we allow ourselves to become disconnected from our source of strength, when we lose our connection to the one who spins our world gracefully, we struggle to keep ourselves upright and maintain the vibrancy of our spirit.
September has always been the time of the year when I stop and think about how fast I was beginning to spin. How dangerously close I was coming to letting go and spinning out of control. I think for many people September is a time to take a deep breath and slow down after the rapid pace of summer. It is a time of routine rebuilding. So often our spiritual activities are disrupted during the summer months due to vacations, guests, projects. It is good to recapture and enhance our spiritual practices.
Fall is a time of settling down. It seems a natural time to slow the spinning world and maintain balance under the guiding hand of the Creator. When you are centered the color of your true spirit is visible to the world. Let your life spin at a speed that allows us to see the color of your true spirit.
May God Bless You, Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC | |
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August 2008 |
Room With A ViewI was traveling home from an incredible journey through an area, which up until recently I had only read about. The Giant Redwoods and the Great Sequoia trees have come alive in my mind. Let me share with you some thoughts on the spiritual health benefits of having a room with a view. The first stop on our journey through California was Redwood National Forest and upon entrance into the grove utter silence was observed. Here were massive trees demanding silence allowing my spirit to absorb the view with no distractions from the outside world. My spirit was invited to look through the window of God’s eyes. Seeing the beauty of the creator. Every direction in this forest offered inspiration. I was standing in a room (of the earth) with a view. Every space of this earth is a room in God’s creation and there is a view waiting to be noticed.The room is open to such vibrant life. The tiniest flowers, the streams of rushing water over grand rock formations so pleasantly placed to afford a rhythmic sound. In Sequoia National Park One of my favorite trees on my trek through Sequoia National Park was titled “Room Tree”. The “Room Tree” welcomed you in through a draped opening. Hollowed high it offered a spacious surrounding for my spirit to feel enveloped in security. Looking up 20 feet there was an opening in the side of this tree that looked off into the sky. the blue clouds floating by. I could imagine a starlit night. What can be said about the earth room in Yosemite National Park with its waterfalls and artistic rock formations? What of the room overlooking the Pacific Ocean with its crashing waves upon the jagged cliffs and the whales spouting in the distance? What of the room overlooking the vineyards, a reminder of the vine to which I cling drawing nourishment for my thirsting spirit, a vine twisting and turning to support the stretching branch of my searching spirit? I wish not to bore you with the details of my vacation, but rather to share with you the insight I gained in traveling from room to room in God’s creation. Every room has a view of God’s eternal love for us. Each room had something to offer my spirit. Here in this room I call home, too, is inspiration, a room with a view. I am being called to appreciate the room I am in at any given time not only on vacation, but in the dailyness of life. The old phrase, you need to stop and smell the roses became a theme as I traveled in a room filled with roses only to find the bigger message for me was to open my spirit to the room before me, the room with a view.
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July 2008 |
Spiritual Reflection for July 2008
What Does This Mean?
I am writing today with a very heavy heart. The flood disaster has caused so much pain and sorrow over the last week and my heart cries out with many questions. These questions seem to be on the minds of others, as well. Perhaps the biggest question has been what does this mean? A question I have heard several times over the past few days. Can we sit with this question a few minutes as I write and you read?
Over the past week I have asked many people to tell me what is getting them through this, where they are getting their strength from, what it is that supports them in this difficult time? Their answers have overwhelmingly been, God. No long explanations, rather a short to the point answer, God. There has then been a pause in our conversation followed by an admission of questions and curiosities that run through their minds. We have common questions and curiosities, but share a strong connection in the belief that God still exists in the midst of all of this.
The next question we must struggle with is this, is that enough? Is it enough for us to trust that God knows the way he will take care of each of us in our times of struggle and we must be patient, we must wait, we must trust? Is it enough to trust that we are not alone, and simply take one day at a time, searching out the blessing in each day.
As I sat downtown the other day at lunchtime watching the people mill around the streets examining the flood waters I was surprised by what I saw. I expected to see sorrowful faces. I expected to hear angry voices. Instead I saw people smiling at one another, nodding their heads in understanding to one another. I heard people say they were doing what they had to do, one day at a time. I heard people ask, how can I help, what can I do, who needs help. These questions were sincere in their desire to be of service to those in need.
I have watched people gather together to organize relief efforts. I am grateful for the organizations throughout this nation reaching out to disaster areas, but I am also grateful for the human spirit alive and well in our community, which has drawn the strength needed to reach out to one another here in this community. It appears as though the hearts of individuals being called to serve are overflowing with compassion and the hearts of those receiving this compassion seem to be overflowing with gratitude. Bonds are being built between people once strangers, now friends, family. Have we been given the opportunity to be reintroduced to our brothers and sisters in Christ?
I cannot begin to address the questions about why this happened, why one household and not the other, or the other questions that come with any tragedy, but I can at least take the time to listen to what God is offering me in this experience. A chance to share my faith with others, a chance to have my faith strengthened by others, a chance to see first-hand the way we are all connected in this world.
What does this mean? I am not sure anyone can answer this question with a universal answer. Each of us has to look to the events that happen in life for the personal meaning and the collective meaning. We must use the events of our life journey to exercise our spiritual health. Tried, stretched, and tested the spirit within has great power. The spirit will not be broken.
Even though the responses to the many questions have expressed a lack of understanding of the reason these events have happened in our lives, they seem to have consistent faith in God, trusting that God knows. In the midst of the devastation that has come to our community the human spirit perseveres. It is my prayer that our community will recover with a renewed sense of who our neighbors are and a stronger spirit of unity.
May God Bless You,Tammy Koenecke, RN, BSN
Parish Nurse Coordinator, RAMC Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
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