Caring Conversations
B
y Shawn Maassel
During the past six months, you may have received a ‘worker wellness check-in’ via email, text, or phone. Our SED Worker Wellness Team and others have been reaching out since last fall with check-ins to all of our district’s workers. Jesus was known for His caring conversations and our district thinks these check-ins with you are important too!
As part of the Worker Wellness Team, I too have my list of workers to contact, but have only had minimal success. Only a few of my communications elicited responses, and of those, just a handful led to actual conversations. I appreciated those chats, and the time the workers took to check-in with me about their perceived wellness. We connected, like-minded in faith and even in some of our life stations. Those conversations were a gift.
Somehow it didn’t dawn on me that I too would be the recipient of a caring call. In February, Krista reached out and asked if we could set up a time to chat. Though I had retired from my church work position last November, I felt busy. I was on the verge of another grandchild visit, traveling to Atlanta. But knowing how challenging it had been for me to connect with my list of workers, I couldn’t leave her hanging. I replied that I could chat with her the following week.
Sure enough, Krista texted the following Monday, asking if I was free to chat. My grandson was settled in his seat at the table, having a snack, and it was a good time.
Not only was the conversation pleasant and encouraging, but we connected on a few similar life scenarios. At the end of our conversation, Krista asked if she could pray for me and did so over a specific family concern. Her prayer felt like healing balm over my heart and relieved a bit of my anxiety. Later, I was able to text her an update about the prayer request (which I felt the Lord was already answering as had been prayed.)
While it has been challenging to try to connect with the busy church workers on my list, as well as personally commit time to Krista to help her connect with me, the results were worth the time and effort. These caring conversations and check-ins left me feeling connected, encouraged, and ‘shored up’.
I encourage you to reply if someone from our district reaches out to check-in. They care. Your district cares. And I anticipate that doing so will leave you feeling blessed and encouraged.
Shawn Maassel
St. Leonard, Maryland