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REFLECTIONS
We matter

Marisol MacRae

Matthew 10:20-31

“Is Alice there?” Fiona stood at the nurses’ station window looking distraught.

“Just a minute.” I paused from reading the psychiatric consult on Juan – a violent man admitted to the hospital last night – to look for Fiona’s nurse. “She’ll be right with you.” I returned to my reading.

“Yes?”

“Alice, the Lord is coming. Are you ready?” There was a sense of urgency in Fiona’s voice.

“Haven’t I asked you to stop saying that? Just go work on a puzzle.”

Still distraught, Fiona turned to Juan, who was standing eight feet behind her. “The Lord is coming. Are you ready?”

“Shut up!” Rob raised his voice. Concerned that this annoyance might result in violence, I followed Fiona down the hall.

Her sense of urgency increased. She confronted even more patients. “The Lord is coming. Are you ready?” Some ignored her. A few giggled.

Then Adele, an 80-year-old suffering from dementia, set the watering can down and walked towards Fiona. She laid her wrinkled hand on Fiona’s shoulder. “Come help me water. If He’s coming, these plants had better look alive!”

Fiona hugged her. She picked up the watering can and turned toward the plants. She did not say another word.

We all need to be heard. I suspect this need is satisfied not simply by the knowledge that someone agrees with our message, but by the assurance that we are accepted as we are at any particular moment in time, that we matter, more than a sparrow, despite our flaws.

Reflections is a column of brief reflections on Scripture passages. This one is by Marisol MacRae of Surrey, B.C. Freelance submissions for Reflections (200–250 words in length) are welcome.

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Last modified February 11, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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