It seems I have a new job

 Good morning,

I pray the day finds you well.

I have already told you that I belong to a spa.

The process is quite simple. I start in a sauna that runs between 180 and 200 degrees. Then, once I have been properly cooked, I exit the sauna and step into a cold plunge. Now, there are a variety of cold plunges that run from 50-degree water down to 32-degree water that is circulated (Obviously a good way to keep fresh water from freezing).

Then it is rinse and repeat for around two hours. At the end, I go sit in a mineral bath for 15 minutes. After that, I am done.

It is a great way to end the evening. I am relaxed, tired, and can settle my mind so I can sleep.

There are usually other people in the sauna with me, sometimes as many as 6-8, but usually only 2 or 3, and conversations naturally occur.

I have found that most of the people using the Spa are from the medical field. I believe there are two main reasons for this.

1. They understand the health benefits of this
2. Their jobs are stressful and it is a good way to relax.

Most are nurses. Some are Doctors. Others are from the support groups that make up the administration of a hospital or clinic.

When they find out I'm a chaplain, and these people definitely know what a chaplain is, they start to share their stuff.

It's like being at a function or Christmas party and somebody finds out that Bob is a Lawyer. The next thing you know, they are asking Bob for free legal advice. Or, they find out Jill is a doctor, and they point at a spot on their body and say, "It hurts when I touch this. What do you think it is?"

I'm sitting in a sauna and they just started talking about what is bugging them.

They talk about their anxiety.

They talk about depression.

They talk about losing a patient.

They complain about health insurance.

They talk about their home life.

They wonder where God is in all of this.

There is an old adage in the chaplaincy world. No matter what somebody tells you, never let them see you sweat. This gets very difficult in a sauna, just sayin.

Laurie and I go to the Spa almost every night. Just about every time we go, there are people there who need to talk to someone who won't judge, interrupt their thoughts, or give quick, thoughtless advice. They need a listening ear.

The world is not an easy place to live in. Left to itself, the world tends to destroy people. Without people in the world that will listen with the intent to listen and not the intent to respond. Little things can become huge issues as we ponder them in the echo chamber of our minds.

When I started at the Spa, I had no idea I would end up being used by God in such a fashion.

As you move from one place to another, a new job, or simply go on a vacation, do you ever wonder how God is going to use you to help someone?

Something to ponder.

Blessings,

Roger