Lifelong Student

 

This is this day that the Lord has made
May our thoughts run to God as our anxieties fade
Coming into this space; feel the stillness as you enter
I ponder my gratefulness in this moment to center
I'm thankful that God has held us in His grip
Throughout each and everry moment of this Internship

This CPE is a BIG CUP that we are all drinking
It promotes learning unhindered and alot of deep thinking
Keeping your mind open, to the knowledge that is linking
Wade in the water, don't forcus on the sinking

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,  but how are our patients leaning?
What gives them hope, agency, support, and meaning?
In a hospital all alone and their skies are gray
What can widen their perspective is a Holy Holiday!
It can cause imagination on memories felt but unseen
No matter what their culture is,  there is so much, we can glean

My very first Educator would multi-task
Her famous words with me were-"Dont' assume but ask"
Her goal was to stretch you, take you out of your range
She got giddy and jubilant at the very mention of change!
I recall one day, her pilot light was brightly ignited
She said--"When others find meaning, that's what gets me all excited!"
She valued Diversity and all that it measured
Different faith traditions and culture-are what she truly treasured!

Now, where is the place for vulnerability?
Well, its IDR AND ISC
A space where I can be authentically me
Come one, come all, no limits-BE FREE!!
It's where you can talk and where you can listen
I've seen understanding come and faces that glisten
And what's this thing we do, you either love or hate em'?
By affirmation and growing edges is how we rate em'
IF this was a HUMAN, then self awareness would date him
I must be speaking of the learning tool "Verbatim!"
It's where we practice chaplaincy and purposely reflect
On improving our skills-cultivating care and not neglect

CPE has it's oddities and I often want to muzzle
These maps, pictures, diagrams, and puzzles
I desire to do more than to just survive
In CPE-I pray to grow and thrive!
I want to know just where I'm headed
What is my theology and how is it embedded?
Even when I mess up-like a fish who flounders and flops
I'm still a lifelong student and my learning NEVER stops!

 

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Shawn Moore Israel is enrolled in Wesley Seminary and is pursuing an MDiv. She finished her first unit of CPE at Ascension St. Vincent  Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana in April 2021. Shawn can be reached at shawnisrael49@gmail.com