"A few weeks ago I was introduced to Lee. Lee is blind and is also hard of hearing. She often spends her time at Carter Hospital in the day room where I have been meeting with her. She is very open and welcomes my reading of the Gospel and prayer even though she is Jewish. This past Friday I was especially touched by her. She told me of her friend that she feels is at the end of his life. Lee worries that soon God will take him from her. She then began explaining their relationship and her love for him, saying that she wanted to be a part of him- that maybe even that wasn't enough. She wanted to be around him at all times, to completely envelope him. She told me, 'Last Christmas I even bought him cologne so that I could completely surround him, that in wearing it I would be a part of him since it was a gift I gave him.'
When Lee was sharing her experience I was overcome by this love which I knew was God Himself. I asked Lee what it was that she liked about this man, and she responded that she felt protected when he was around. They first met in a group at the hospital. One day there was a sudden noise and it frightened Lee so much that she covered herself, but in that instance she felt someone else covering her and telling her, 'Don't worry, I will protect you.' From then on she was so drawn by this man who became her dear friend. Now he is bedridden and cannot speak which makes it difficult for them to have conversations, especially since Lee would not be able to lip read or read anything he could type out. That doesn't stop her from waiting to go to his room, even if it is only once or twice a week, just to be in his presence.
In many ways Lee helped me to see the love of Jesus- His desire to be a part of us and that we should desire to be a part of Him. To find peace in His presence, to find protection in His presence. I realized how close Lee, a non-practicing Jew, is to Jesus without her even realizing it, since Jesus Himself is Love Incarnate." - Sarah Mutchler, LAMP Missionary, Bronx, NY
Artwork: "Love and Pain", Edvard Munch, 1893