I had been called to provide trauma services to a local group home staff after the death of a long-time client. Instead of sorrow, I came home with joy.After the debriefing, I met one of the residents at the group home who was a special case in the state. Her nurse shared that this young lady was on a respirator and required 24/7 nursing care.
Her mother was visiting that morning and the nurse brought her young patient in her wheelchair to the dining room. Her smile was childlike and she was coloring in a book of numbers. She looked up and asked me my name. When I said: Matthew, she immediately responded that it was a beautiful name. The smile on her faced made her glow with delight. I asked what her name was and she happily said that it was Miriam. Miriam was the prophetess and older sister of Moses and Aaron. The origin of the name Miriam is unclear, but some think it comes from the Egyptian meaning “beloved.” In the Hebrew, Miriam comes from the verb meaning obstinacy and stubbornness and both her mom and the nurse agreed that sometimes this young lady displayed this character.
Her mother sat by her daughter’s side and watched her carefully for Miriam would often get excited and jump up from her wheelchair pulling out her respirator. Her nurse would gently coaxed Miriam to settle down and put the respirator tube back in its place.
I told Miriam that she had an amazing smile and what a wonderful greeter in heaven she would be. Instead of St. Peter who might be asking us probing questions about our poor judgments, I suggested that Miriam would make a great greeter in heaven because her smile would immediately take away any fears. Miriam’s smile simply brings peace and joy to anyone who looks upon her.
Miriam mom was most taken back with this complement of her daughter. She thanked me for the generous words, but I shared that her daughter while misunderstood by her outward limitations possessed a wonderful charm and gift that you could see all over her face.
In my ministry, many people have worried themselves sick or as one patient called it” brain freeze” that he was going to hell. The messages in the classroom and from the pulpit were not very uplifting or consoling. I had been called upon to bring comfort to a grieving staff, but found myself in the presence of the spirit of a young woman bound to her chair and oxygen tank yet full of delight and joy. Her face radiated the glory of God’s love and peace that the Lord wants us to feel despite the messages of doom and gloom.
How many times are we judged by our outward appearance or the misdeeds of our past. Miriam like the Lord sees only the good in our hearts and always welcomes the broken and fearful soul into his Kingdom. The Lord comes not to condemn but to redeem and bring us eternal peace. Remember that the next time you feel your spiritual soul is on empty and needs a shock of Miriam to spice up your troubled soul.
God prays for us as we reflect: “But with you there is forgiveness’ therefore you are revered.” (Psalm 130:4).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine friends that they will be greeted by one like Miriam as they approach your heavenly gates. May all their good deeds go before them and their poor judgments be keep locked away in a vault of forever after. Peace be with you all my Sonshine friends and thank you Miriam for sharing your wonderful smile of joy.
