Samuel has lived a good life, and has been a good judge. As he nears death, his people cry out that they want a king, like the other nations. Samuel prays about it, and the Lord responds to Samuel that they’ve not rejected Samuel, but the Lord as King. God tells Samuel to warn the people that an appointed king might not be so good. Their human-selected king might extort them, force bribes, take their best property and women for his use. In general, God was setting up a picture of a bad king, warning the people of Israel that God would be their Good king, instead. Samuel brought this message to the people, but they dismissed him and his warnings. Returning to God, Samuel lamented that they still wanted a King. God’s response was to listen to the people and set a king over them. Basically, God is saying, ok, give them what they ask for.
This morning, this is striking me both for good and bad. Yesterday I conjured up a ministry opportunity for me and a fellow deacon. It would be wonderful, meaningful ministry that is church. Where church starts and ministry starts is hard to define, which makes my deacon-heart very glad. It was a novel approach, and so far, everyone has thought it’s a wonderful idea. The idea was hatched during yesterday’s morning prayer reading of the calling of Stephan and his buddies, to effectively be the first deacons. There are a few more logistics to work through, and I’m very excited. And when I proposed this wacky idea, I’ve heard nothing but “yes!”. Basically God has said. Ok. Give them what they ask for. In this instance, I hope God’s “yes” is because it’s the right thing, not because eventually I need to hear, “I told you so”. So far, I think it’s a good ‘give them what they’re asking for’.
And on the not-so-good side, my sick loved one is sicker. Nearly catatonic – literally not figure of speech. They had an appointment to get a court-ordered injection of medicine to try to improve things. They were so scared they tried to run away, but we found them less than a block from our apartment, standing on the sidewalk, still and staring.
Eventually, they returned and got their medicine. Since, they’ve been hiding. Not talking to us. Not responding to any attempts to communicate. I’m certain they’re scared, angry, frustrated, confused, and feeling betrayed that we who are to protect them subjected them to this traumatic day, and traumatic six months.
Like you and I, the mental health and legal system give to them significant power over their own destiny and care. Were it not for court involvement 6 months ago, there would be no forced hospitalizations. No forced medicines. I heard one advocate say that the system is set up to allow people to be sick if they want to, even if they don’t even know they’re sick in the first place. OK. Give them what they’re asking for.
The problem in this situation is that my loved one doesn’t really have the capacity to know what’s good. They’re scared and angry and won’t defer to anyone medical decision making in their best interest. They’re sick enough to be unable to see there’s anything wrong. But over 18, and able to make decisions about care or refusal of care. Ok. Give them what they’re asking for.
In 10 days, they’ll conclude their mandated court supervision of treatment, which occurred because of a previous hospitalization. When freed from that interference, my loved one will most likely cease all treatment. Absent a contentious court proceeding and traumatic hospitalization, there’s nothing we can do. The system is rigged to give them what they’re asking for.
This morning, I’m thinking about a God, that Samuel understood allow kings to be placed over Israel, because they wanted it. God’s response was that Samuel should give them what they’ve asked for. At that time, both Samuel and God seem to have had a foreboding sense that it wasn’t what should have occurred, but it’s what they wanted. I’m sitting here, with a foreboding sense that the end of all treatment is not what should occur, but it’s what they want. To allow them some dignity, I cannot presume to always know what’s best, or to take from them any decision about their life, their rights and their treatment.
In Samuel’s time, the people did get a series of crummy kings, and God saved them, only to have them again want a human king who did more crummy things. And God saved them again. And again. What the people wanted was not always what was best. And God gave them what they wanted. What my loved one wants may not be what’s best. But it appears the system is set up to give them what they are asking for. My prayer today is that while God and the system allow us all to make decisions and ask for things that may or may not be in our best interest, God will be there when we get the equivalent of a crummy king. God will save us from ourselves. Again. And again.
* OH, and Happy Birthday Katherine!
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