Seeing our work as part of our calling

I got to know Dr. Jeanne Oh Kim through our shared passion for Women, Work, and Calling at the Denver Institute for Faith and Work. She is a pediatric physician at? Children’s Hospital Colorado, wife, and mother of four. She believes in empowering the families she serves with knowledge and tools to lead their healthiest lives, and she blends traditional and functional medicine to provide holistic mind, body, and spirit care.?

“I became a believer in college, and early in my career, I had the typical idea of the separation of faith and work. I worked hard, did a good job, and thought my faith was only personal. Through my association with Denver Institute, I started to understand that the fullness of the gospel means the redemption of all things.? I also began to see that healing is my gift and calling and that work is an opportunity to serve God, love others, and bring the reality of heaven to earth.?

Lack of time has been challenging in the current medical model, so I've just reconciled that I must steward time well. Even if it is just five minutes, how I show up can make a difference. A caring attitude can be way more valuable than just giving a prescription. You want to have excellence and the right choice of therapy, but even more, I try to be present, listen, and make sure that patients and their parents feel heard.?

Prayer is a way of caring. Interestingly, many people are open to prayer; of course, you must use discernment and ask with deep respect. I’ll say, “I know that faith may not be a part of your life, but is it okay if I pray for you.”? Interestingly, most people will say yes.? Occasionally, I'll pray for patients outwardly or just pray over them while doing an exam or before entering the room. That's a functional medicine principle: ‘gathering myself’ and saying a quick prayer before I enter the room.?

God has created all these beautiful ways that we're supposed to live in Shalom and be healthy in this beautiful ecosystem he created before sin came into the world.? I love that my work enables me to connect people to those healthy behaviors. Creating health is a journey, and I find joy in being a guide for personal and community flourishing.”

Jeanne is an encouraging example of stewarding our vocation as a way to worship and serve God.? It does not have to happen through overt and obvious actions and certainly shouldn't happen in ways that make others feel judged or uncomfortable. However, like Jeanne, I have found that the more I connect with God throughout my day, the more I can interact with others from a place of peace and abundance.

I am currently reading Practicing His Presence by Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach.? I am amazed at how this advice from a 17th-century monk to the father of a young soldier speaks to me as I try to integrate God more fully into my daily life and work.? “How can he be aware of a God who is always with him?? It is quite simple.? Let him just think of the Lord as often as he can.? Just a little lifting up of the heart to God is enough.”

I enjoyed my conversation with Jeanne so much that I plan to share a separate piece in the coming weeks in which she discusses the challenges of perfectionism.