Poor in Spirit and Rich in Love
Nick woke up the next morning and found himself lying across two chairs in the waiting room of the hospital with his pillow under his head and his blanket bunched up at his feet. He checked his watch. 6:13 a.m. He got up and patted his hair down and tucked his t-shirt in to his shorts before strolling down the hall to his mom’s room with his pillow and blanket tucked under his arm.
When he walked in, he found her propped up slightly on the hospital bed and awake.
“Hi Mom. How are you feeling?”
“Better. Thanks. I didn’t sleep much last night, but that’s alright because I’ve had a lot of time to think about things.”
“Mom, tell me more about the love you said you felt yesterday. Do you realize the heart monitor flat-lined just before you said that?”
“Yes, I watched it from above. I watched you too and the nurses and your friends and I could hear your prayers. Then I saw my life flash before my eyes. I saw each and every one of the times I’ve been given the opportunities to help others, but failed to do so. I saw the way my pride and my possessions and my ego blocked me from seeing those opportunities and instead led me to judge those with other missions in life. And I felt an immense love and passion stronger than anything I’ve ever felt before.”
Nick watched her. She appeared vibrant, like a true fighter, yet humbled as a fox would be humbled by a mighty lion in the jungle.
“Things are going to change. I promise. I can’t believe I’ve been so blinded from the truth for all of these years. I’ve been greedy, caring too much about my work ethic and success and my ego. None of that is important. You’re important, as are all of the people with whom I work, interact, and encounter. You’ve been right about a lot of things, Nick. And I’m not going to die with my riches and my wealth and a meaningless epitaph. I’m going to die a blessed woman, poor in spirit and rich in love. I want my epitaph to say something about the way I’ve served and not the way I’ve lived.”
“Mom, nurse Fey thinks that God has given you another chance. You’re going to beat the cancer mom. No doubt.”
“God willing, Nick, I’m going to beat the cancer. I think he’s giving me a second chance and I’m going to seize it with a passion like you’ve never seen. I’m going to let Jesus work through me to make some significant changes in my life and in the lives of those around me.”
Nick smiled. “Mom, I’m excited. I have an idea of a place where we can start. Of course I want to be by your side in this.”
“Are you thinking of Barbara Collins’ foster home?”
“Wow. Yes. Exactly.”
“So am I. And I have some ideas. As soon as I get out of here, let’s get over there.”
“When will you get out Mom? Do you know? Has the doctor said anything yet?”
It may be a week or so. I’m not sure. I left a message for my other doctor about rescheduling my chemo therapy sessions, due to the accident. The doctor here says I need to rest and recover from the car accident a bit more first.”
“That makes sense.”
“Oh, and Nick. I’ve decided that I’ll be changing things at Fox ‘n Fields as well. I don’t need the sort of compensation they’re paying me. And we don’t need that ostentatious home. We can live quite nicely in something more modest in downtown Orange Bay with a fenced- in yard for Chipper.
Furthermore, I’m going to look into the compensation packages of our employees. There are thousands of hard workers at Fox ‘n Fields who are likely struggling to make ends meet for their families with the salaries we’re paying them, given today’s inflation rates and the high cost of living.
I’m going to speak with the Board about more significant pay for performance plans that incentivize, inspire, and reward those workers. There’s no reason that average, mid-level workers shouldn’t be pulling in at least $70,000 a year for what they do. It’s time I set an example for other CEOs and our boards to follow.
“I totally agree with you. Wow. You amaze me Mom.”
“It’s not about me anymore. It’s about others.”
“God bless you Mom.”
Both were quiet for a few minutes before Nick stood up. “I’m going to check on nurse Fey.”
“Okay.”
He walked down the hallway, but found that Fey had already checked out of the hospital. He was glad for that. “She’s amazing,” he thought to himself as he returned to his mom’s room.