I don’t remember many details about the young husband and
wife, but not many details are significant to understanding this story. The couple had been unable to conceive, so they were blessed by adoption with a precious little girl.
More than twenty years ago I had two encounters with this
family. At the
time, I was completing a three month summer practicum, which was the final
requirement necessary for obtaining a masters degree in psychology.
The little girl was very young. I am guessing all these
years later that she was about six years old. She was brought in to be evaluated after having shown signs of emotional
instability, and was easily one of the most beautiful little girls I had ever
seen.
She was evaluated by a psychologist with a doctoral degree
and I was allowed along for the ride;
that’s how things worked in that department. It was VERY hierarchical. In fact, anyone without a Ph.D. degree seemed to
hold less value as a person, and was clearly treated that way by almost everyone
with an advanced degree. In that environment, an individual’s level of importance was determined
by one’s education. The longer the
curriculum vitae, the more one mattered.
If you were wealthy, all the better.
The psychology department at the children's hospital was seen by many administrators and staff to be of less value, and considered expendable, because it didn't generate the same revenue the physician specialists did. Perhaps the psychology department was too eager to make up for the self importance it had lost, and sought to gain ground from within.
After it was determined which diagnostic tests were
necessary, the little girl returned to complete them. Then, the results were tallied,
conclusions drawn, and recommendations were carefully considered. An appointment was scheduled to meet with the
parents to discuss the results.
On the day of that final meeting, the psychologist presented them with the results of the evaluation. They listened intently. There was some discussion
between the doctor and the parents, and at the very end of the meeting, I had
one thing to say.
I looked right at the young couple, smiled, and said to them, “She is SO
beautiful!”
Only later did I learn the one thing that was said that meant the most to them.
Someone had said something positive about
their treasure, and they desperately needed to hear it.
We live in the time of the most tremendous assault against
the human person in the history of mankind.
Human life and dignity is under attack in so many different ways it is appalling.
How often our needs are invisible to one another, even when we are
in the same room, even when we are
addressing one another, even when we know at least something about one another, even when people come to us for help.
In contrast, how easily people become visible to others when they can be used in some way. All they must do to become invisible once again is insist to be treated as persons with great dignity,
having been created in the image and likeness of God. If they don't become invisible, they become insignificant, or perhaps even an enemy.
May we always be mindful of the needs of others around
us, the most basic of which are to be
loved, valued, respected, and treated with compassion. No degree, financial wealth, education, or
social status can acquire the skill to care when our hearts have turned to stone. Such things are acquired in humility, by asking Jesus and Blessed
Mother to make our hearts like theirs.
God did not create people to be used, not for any reason. He
created people to be loved. For every reason.
How many times before and since I have failed to see Christ in my neighbor, but that day when it counted for the young couple with the beautiful little girl, thanks be to God, I got it right.
How many times before and since I have failed to see Christ in my neighbor, but that day when it counted for the young couple with the beautiful little girl, thanks be to God, I got it right.
God is at work in each one of us.
The Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus:
"By My Holy Face, you will work wonders." ~ Jesus to Sr. Mary of St. Peter
Pray for a global end to legalized
abortion, euthanasia, and the use of artificial contraception
which
causes untold numbers of abortions and prevents the gift of life from
being given.
On this very significant anniversary in human history, Joseph Karl Publishing is making the newly released PROFOUNDLY CATHOLIC pro-life book God Moments III: True Love Leads to Life available as a free download in English. Please consider sharing the book with others. Thank you!
True love leads to life, and so many other beautiful things.
"Help that kills isn't help at all."
~ True Love Leads to Life