Thursday, June 9, 2022

Pastor's Life: Called, named, chosen

Called, named, chosen
by Rev. Jeniffer Rodríguez

As I write this devotional, I am at the hospital waiting for more responses to know what is happening and the reason I am here. It has been seven days since I came here because of a swollen leg. I have a lot of pain and difficulty walking. A lot of blood tests are done every day. One of my arms is swollen because of all the pinching and IV fluids. Every day, a cadre of doctors stop by to check on me. Even though there are no concrete test results, I feel cared for and loved because these doctors and nurses, each one of them, say my name.

I can tell you I miss my children so much. My daughter has been sending me her paintings, and I have them on the hospital room wall. I can look at those paintings every time I feel low and sad. At last, I can see their faces through WhatsApp every time I talk with them. We feel so happy to see each other. There is joy in hearing our voices.

The Friday before being admitted to the hospital, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop from Music that Makes Community, led by Paul Vasile and Jorge Lockward. One of the songs we sang and learned was I will Change Your Name by D.J. Butler. This song has been with me since the beginning of this hospital journey because, at times, I am in pain, feel lonely, or am afraid; I am more than that for God; I have a beautiful name.

Rev. Jeniffer Rodríguez is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Ossining, NY. Jeniffer and her husband, Kyle Craig, are the parents of a beautiful 3-year-old girl Emma Sophia and a handsome 1-year-old boy Eric Gabriel. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she pursued her Master of Divinity at McCormick Theological Seminary. Rev. Rodríguez likes to do creative things with art, both for worship and personally. She is a chaplain of the New York City-based Ecumenical Choir Cántico Nuevo (New Song) and is involved in social justice issues.

Featured Resources

June Lectionary Preview

Rev. Dr. Anna Pinckney Straight provides the June lectionary preview where she discusses stewardship in terms of money, and time and energy given to the church.

Leading Theologically

Rev. Dr. Lee Hinson-Hasty had a conversation with David LaMotte about how change really happens for the Leading Theologically podcast.

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