Resilience

Providing the St John’s Care community with a compassionate listening ear, spiritual care, and case management support is a privilege I remain grateful for. Recently, we hosted our first Community Morning Tea (the 3rd Friday of each month) and it was great to connect with familiar and new faces.

In my work with vulnerable people, I am constantly moved by the stories of those doing it tough on the margins. I am in awe of their resilience, particularly in situations of injustice and abuse. One standout story of resilience in adversity reminded me that joy amidst pain is still possible.

I first met a client that I shall call L for privacy purposes when she came into St John’s Care a few months ago. L is a mother of 3 children who was then gaining custody of her two youngest ones. Thankfully L had secure Government housing to accommodate them all. However, she needed practical support to get them started. St John’s Care was able to organise not only emergency food relief, but much needed baby items and clothing for the children from Roundabout Canberra as well.

More recently I learned that L had formalised shared custody arrangements with her ex-partner who was now living close by. While this made shared parenting easier for them all, L disclosed she was now experiencing personal mental and physical health challenges after being in a car accident. While her related health-care needs were thankfully covered by the at-fault driver’s car insurance, L now struggled with day to day living. The pain was evident on L’s face during our conversation at St John’s Care, yet joy was found in caring for her youngest one who played on the floor as we spoke. L said her kids were what kept her going. After listening attentively to L’s updates and hearing of her practical needs, I discerned that we could help on this occasion with emergency food relief, another Roundabout Canberra order, and a referral to Thread Together for some new warm clothes. An ActewAGL $300 voucher was also successfully applied for to help cover some of L’s outstanding electricity bill.

L’s resilience and evident love for her children remind me that joy can be present in difficult times. I was also reminded that peace in trial is made possible, at least in part, as people look to the needs of others as well as their own. I am grateful that L’s support network is available for her during this time of need, and I feel honoured to journey with her in this challenging time too.

Thank you,

Tecia Thompson
Community Chaplain