Levi's The real religion!

This has been a week of changes for me, some without any thought, some came as surprises, some by choice, some not so much.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the third week at my new job with a Hospice Service.  I am not surprised that I love it.  I am not surprised that I leave work feeling so thankful. I am not surprised that I have great compassion for those traveling the end of life journey. 

This week I spoke with a 55 yr old patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 months ago.  She recently learned that it had metastasized to her brain, lung and lymph nodes.  Devastated and alone she attempted to take her life.  Her words to me, as she understood them "there is nothing more that can be done".  Reluctant to go under hospice care, because she is too overwhelmed and she is concerned that she will get too emotional,  I thought of her statement "There is nothing more that can be done".  What a great injustice if we really allow our patients to believe that.  There may be nothing left to do that will prolong her life or cure her illness but there is so much more that can be done. 

She expressed her anger and how she "Hates God" - That tells me that one thing that can be done is prayer, and service and witness to her.

We can't change the course of her illness or the symptoms she will face but there is so much to do to make her comfortable, to control her pain.  The resources for emotional support.  The chance for her to travel this journey in peace. 

 There is never nothing more that can be done.

Maybe this week I have just let myself be more "aware".  Maybe that awareness has led me to look at my life more closely. 
I was disturbed when I was in the mall and saw a large poster advertising Levi's and it stated- Levi's, the real religion.  I was sad for a generation who may believe that and for a company that sends that message.

So this week as I begin to examine myself and the messages my actions send, I sat in church today and found one thing I was doing that, today really bothered me. 

When our pastor asked us to turn to today's scripture, I grabbed my phone and pulled up the Bible electronically.  I am not saying this is wrong.  I even see some advantages as in, it is always with you.

I was distracted though by these thoughts.  My Bible has always been something that felt good to hold.  It held special notes, special bookmarks from friends.  I liked hearing the pages turn and remembering where a book in the Bible was located.  
It was a sacred book, one I turn to in time of need, when I want encouragement or to give encouragement.  When I want to learn more of God's word.
  
This device I held here though was my means of connection with everyone.  It was my phone, I could log into the Internet, check face book.  Today I thought, on my phone I sometimes sound upset, I may talk unkind, I may even gossip.  How can I use this same device for my Bible?

I realized that using my phone as my Bible was just to make things easier for me.  How sad for me, how selfish of me. You see when I read my Bible on my phone a call or a text will interrupt my reading.  This device is not sacred it is an electronic device that will soon be outdated. 

This is just for me- If it works for you then great.  I however will find comfort again when I open the Word and hear the lovely music of turning pages.