“Let love have its perfect work.” This somewhat cryptic phrase came to me as soon as I started to write this article. It describes the lives of some of my inspiring clients. There are so many of you out there who teach me about love and connection in such sweet deep ways. Love, true love, love that truly serves others has a perfect work to do in the world.
Each of us has unique gifts and temperament. My purpose is to inspire others to go out into the world and multiply the love that only they can give. One of the ways I seek to stir up beauty is to help reduce pain and stress and stir up positive energy in people’s bodies so that they are free to go out and live their purpose. Anyone using their gifts for healing modalities will propel service in others.
Many unsung heroes do so much to serve and love in this community. They inspire me. The parents who stay up late to calm and nurture a little one. The farmers up with the sun stewarding the land. The teachers gearing up to serve and instruct children for yet another year. Did you know that most teachers drink less water during the school year because they don’t have time to go to the bathroom? Teaching is an extreme sport. If I were to tell all the stories of love having its perfect work in this area, we’d have to write a very thick book, perhaps an alphabetical encyclopedia.
Today, I will spend time with the Veterans in our community who allow “love to do its perfect work.”
Steve struggles with hope. He’s a Vietnam vet and got West Nile which almost took his life right before the advent of the world shutdown that was COVID. His much-needed medical care lagged and the disease took the strength and mobility from his legs. He is such a fighter. He doesn’t give up. The massage and acupuncture he receives weekly give him hope and help him return strength and mobility to his body. Movement is beginning to bloom. One of the things that makes Steve happiest is his work with Vietnamese orphanages. He and some fellow vets returned to Vietnam after the conflict and partnered with these jungle outposts that educate and feed kids. Steve has every reason to be bitter and closed off, yet he is making an impact that will last for generations.
Corey, a former Army medic, has chosen a new name for himself- Lovemore. Good reminder, right? His upbringing was turbulent; every day he rebels against that early dysfunction by loving more. When Corey came in, he had been suffering for over 15 years with chronic back pain resulting from an injury where he fell off the back of a jeep in body armor. His ribs were contorted. He was struggling to work for more than a few hours, couldn’t exercise without excruciating pain, and was feeling trapped in his body. Pain takes hope. The certainty of pain imprisons you. Corey kept working and pushing through as much as he could. After 6 or so sessions, the long-term disability associated with the injury began to dissipate. He can now work all day on his farm and has started to exercise. He has his life back. Now he uses his newfound energy to pull vets together in the Western Slope Veteran’s Recreation Group. His goal is to create a healing retreat for veterans here in Delta County.
It is an honor for the team at Wellspring to serve the holistic needs of aching bodies and hurting spirits in the North Fork Valley. We don’t take for granted the ways that our connections and services give people faith to change their outlook and to show up wholeheartedly for others. We are stirring up hope in the growth and expansion of capabilities. That people are releasing pain and stirring up energy to love and serve in the way that only they can. As Jesus said about the Ten Commandments, “The greatest of these is love.”
