She was only 22 and this was her 4th bout of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. At least as far as she could remember. She did recall that in the past year she had at least 4 male sexual partners. In my hurry, I neglected to remind her she was precious and important to God. She need not continue this lifestyle. She needed to know I cared.
He was 34 and had only one male sexual partner for at least the last year or more. We had just treated him for Gonorrhea two weeks ago and he had the same symptoms today. In my hurry and personal disgust, I neglected to remind him that he is valuable. He needed to know I cared.
I am only as important as I make the person in front of me feel. I am only as peaceful and joyous as I seek to impart peace and joy to others.
The most frail and fragile person whom I encounter needs to gain strength and hope. This should be my objective for every single clinical encounter. Endeavor to make the weak feel strong. Aim to give a smile to the sorrowful. Not just the right diagnosis and treatment are needed, but caring about this person.
Both the woman and the man I had just met felt betrayed and frustrated by the lack of safe sexual intimacy. They are too weak to deny the desire they or their partners of their own flesh. They see no reason to do so.
I know what is morally right. But this brief 15 minute encounter should not add chaos in their lives. I am called to listen and remind them of God’s grace and love. I am to offer the cure of caring.
They are brokenhearted and bruised.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:18 KJV