Spiritual Checkup
When my husband and I relocated from Nashville to Asheville in 2022, one of the entries on our extensive to-do list was “Find doctors.” I was not looking forward to building new relationships with healthcare professionals. My internist and gynecologist had cared for me for nearly two decades; I had been a patient at the same optometry and dental practices since childhood.
Several months after we settled in, a conversation with a nurse practitioner during an urgent care visit steered me toward a particular practice near my home. I scheduled a preliminary visit and hoped for the best.
When appointment day arrived, the nurse led me to an examination room and took a seat behind the computer. I was stunned by the first questions she asked me:
Do you have religious beliefs that influence your medical care?
Do you have someone who loves you?
Do you have a source of joy in your life?
Do you have a sense of peace today?
My pastoral heart soared! No medical professional had ever asked me questions of a spiritual nature during a visit before this moment. At the time, I wondered if these questions were only asked of first-time patients. Subsequent visits revealed that these spiritual inquiries are part of the protocol for all doctors in this healthcare system.
The residents who attend the weekly Spirituality in Recovery group that I lead at Costello House have repeatedly heard me emphasize the importance of tending to their spiritual health. Physical, mental, and spiritual health are inextricably intertwined. Neglecting any dimension of our health puts us at risk.
During a recent conversation with a group about my spiritual companionship practice, a woman remarked, “We spend time and money caring for our bodies and our minds, so why wouldn’t we want to seek out professional spiritual care, too?” Good question.
When you have questions of a spiritual nature, where do you turn? Who do you trust to listen to you without judgment? Do you have someone in your life who regularly asks you questions about your spiritual well-being? What practices help you nurture your spiritual health?
Yesterday, after I was seated in the examination room for a follow-up visit, I was once again delighted when the nurse began the litany. I have learned that some people burst into tears when they hear those four questions. Sometimes their answers reveal more about their overall wellness than a series of diagnostic tests.
When my son was in high school, I led a weekly Bible study in our home for the students in his grade at our church. After the students loaded their plates with snacks, we convened in the living room. Each session began with a question: How is it with your soul today?
Have you had a spiritual checkup lately?
Invitation to Wonder: How is it with your soul today? What can you do this week to nurture your spiritual well-being?
