I work as an Associate Dental Director for a community public health center. I see hundreds of patients each month on top of my administrative duties. It can be challenging and frequently exhausting. But in this work, I also see the face of Jesus.
In a clinic like mine, we are often the safety net for the community. We see those who have been forgotten by our health care system. By some people, they are dismissed as just a number in a sea of uninsured and impoverished people.
But, in them, I see the face of Jesus.
I see Him in the recovering addict who is missing half his teeth.
I see Him in the pregnant teenager who has bleeding and painful gums.
I see Him in the refugee, the immigrant, and her children.
I see Him in the woman who has been turned away by four other providers because she does not have insurance.
I see Him in those who yell at me and threaten to sue me.
I see Him in the elderly man who comes early to his appointment and stays late so he has someone to talk to.
How often are we stopping to recognize the face of Jesus in those we see?
Like in today’s Gospel, have we not recognized Elijah? (See Matthew 17:12.)
Each day before heading to work, I pray that I may find the face of Jesus in my patients and my coworkers.
How often are we stopping to recognize the face of Jesus in those we see? // @Substance_Soul Click To TweetLord, may I see Your face in everyone I meet. May I treat them with kindness, compassion, respect, and honor. Amen.
Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife to Paul, mom to three little ones, and practices dentistry at a public health community center for low income families in the Bay Area, California. She (unashamedly) thinks ice cream is its own food group, does not leave the house without wearing sparkly earrings, and is an enthusiastic proponent of the Oxford comma. She is a contributing author to our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
I am an orthodontist in Wyoming and I try to think this way about my patients, their families and my staff also. It is nothing like a public health clinic but I can relate! Thanks for this devotion today!
Such a great reminder that Jesus is within those we see as outcasts. I pray we recognize our judgmental behaviors and call ourselves out.
Thank you for this Samantha! I work as a pediatric physical therapist at a public district hospital with a very wide range of socioeconomic statuses, cultures and languages. We are often able to see the kids private clinics can’t because of insurance. It’s a joy to see Jesus in these families every single day…even in the toughest ones!
Thank you for this Samantha! I work as a pediatric physical therapist at a public district hospital with a very wide range of socioeconomic statuses, cultures and languages. We are often able to see the kids private clinics can’t because of insurance. It’s a joy to see Jesus in these families every single day…even in the toughest ones!
Blessed are the pure of heart
for they shall see God
amen
Thank you for your ministry, Samantha – for being the hands, eyes, ears and mouth of Jesus in this world. I’m praying for you!
Seeing someone that is less fortunate than I am gives me an opportunity to say a little prayer for them. Just saying “ God bless them” makes me feel good to think that Jesus put that person in my path for this particular reason.