Caring for Little Bodies and Hurting Parents the Way Jesus Would

We are most fortunate to see examples of Jesus caring for sick children.  Mark 5:21-43 describes such an occurrence where Jarius a synagogue ruler pleads with Jesus to touch his dying, 12 year old daughter.  Synagogue rulers were generally bitterly opposed to Jesus and his ministry, but Jarius was desperate.  We see in this story the same pain that we experience regularly as health care providers.  We often encounter desperate, anxious parents.  Parents may manifest this in a number of ways including restlessness, irritability, feelings of guilt or anger, denial, or poor concentration.  We see people at their worst, and they may treat us with disrespect.  This can often feel like our best efforts are not good enough.

In route to Jarius’ house, Jesus was distracted by a sick woman with a chronic health condition.  While Jesus was attending to her needs, Jarius received news of his daughter’s death.  Those at Jaruis’ house had already begun to morn and wail.  They even scoffed at Jesus’ words.  There are moments when parent’s expectations are not met and this can create emotional explosions from parents or others.  

What did Jesus say?  “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”  Jesus had a way of connecting with people in the midst of their suffering and walking them through it.  As healthcare providers, we won’t always have the answers or solutions that people want or expect from us, but we can walk with people through their suffering.

Jesus spoke life back into the little girl as only God could do.  Some healthcare providers are working to snatch patients back from the throngs of death, while others are making small changes to manage chronic conditions or educating patients and families about normal development.  Each of us has opportunity to speak life into our patients and families in a unique way.  God has given us His word and filled us with his Spirit.  We have everything we need.  

We can learn from Jesus’ example encountering the sick, but equally important in Mark 6:31, we see Jesus emphasizing the need to rest.  We can quickly become heavy burdened by the weight of our patient’s problems or hurt by their thoughtless words.  It’s important that we find rest.  This may come from an evening walk with our family or a hot cup of coffee in the early morning silence of our dining room, but it certainly means finding rest in the grace of God.  This rest restores our gratitude that He would make us His sons and daughters and equip us to serve the least of these.

Written by Dr. Phillip Scott, Pediatrician at Cook Children’s Health Care System