| |
Using monkeys to practice
Christian Compassion.
by Jane Pearson
It has been almost two
years since I became a volunteer at Massey Cancer Center. I am known as “The
Monkey Lady” by the staff and the many patients I visit each week. Let me
explain.
My friend’s son, John,
a young physician, was diagnosed with cancer over two years ago. Along with
family and other friends, I prayed for his recovery and sent flowers and
cards as he went through an extremely difficult surgery, chemotherapy and
radiation.
|
During the time
John was hospitalized, I decided to gather a few items from the
Dollar Tree to send him a “sunshine basket.” I attached a funny
little note to each item in the basket. On an orange monkey with
Velcro hands, I wrote “Hang this on your IV pole.” This is where my
story as “The Monkey Lady” begins. The little hanging monkey was a
huge hit. It indeed brought a little laughter and a few smiles, not
only to John, but to the other patients, doctors, and nurses, as he
walked up and down the halls of the hospital.
Soon after
sending the basket, his mom called and asked if I could send more of
these little animals for some of the other patients. Following
another visit to the store, thirty more monkeys of all colors made
their way down to Duke Hospital. Every patient on the hall had his
or her own IV pole monkey. I thought to myself, “God, You are so
clever! What a perfect gift.” |
I am known as
"The Monkey Lady"
by the staff and
the many patients I visit each week. |
A few months later while
visiting John, he suggested that I take monkeys to the patients who were
going through chemotherapy here in Richmond. I thought to myself, “Lord, I
don’t think that I can do this.” He, however, had a different idea. I set up
an appointment with a volunteer coordinator at Massey Cancer Center. When I
told her why I was there, she loved the idea of delivering the little
monkeys to some of the patients. I was still thinking, “Can I do this,
Lord?” Two years later, I have visited with and delivered monkeys to more
than 400 patients who are experiencing a difficult time in their lives. I
thank God for using me to reach out to others and to share His love.
My
Sunday school teacher, Buddy Hamilton, has said many times, “Listen for the
Lord’s holy nudges.” The Lord’s nudges certainly enabled me to do something
that is bringing joy not only to others, but also to me. As Henri Nouwen
stated, “Joy is the secret gift of compassion. The joy that compassion
brings is one of the best kept secrets of humanity.”
|
Don’t be surprised how the Lord will empower you to express His love. Who knows, one day you may find yourself carrying around a bag full of monkeys.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28) |
Jane checks Dollar Tree stores regularly for monkeys and once bought a store’s entire stock of 400 before it was unpacked. Because Jane’s ministry has depleted the Dollar Tree’s supply of monkeys, she is now working with their headquarters in Chesapeake to find additional supplies in China.
|
