Remember when I said I was probably going to take a break from “Not Me” Monday? Well, here’s the beginning of my break. I wasn’t sure what I was going to post on Mondays without a few “Not Me”s, and to be honest I even considered not posting on Mondays for a while, to have more time to work on a project I’ve had going since August (so pray for me with that), but I had an idea.

There are loads of causes I’ve come across, and would love to support in some way, thanks to the web. I’m kind of against giving money to charities, personally. Do non profits need donations? Yes, and I will do it in the future probably. However I feel called to give to others in a more hands on personal way these days.

I also made a commitment to myself that I wouldn’t donate any money while still in debt, because I have a tendency to get carried away, and I’m not good with money. Not a good combination. So I have to think of other ways to offer my support.

One cause that I’m supporting is Musicians On Call. I first heard of this organization thanks to an appearance by The Bacon Brothers on a talk show. So it’s relatively new support but the description of “sending musicians into hospital rooms to entertain, and help heal, patients caught my attention,” for obvious reasons.

Another reason that the majority of my hospitalizations came before Child Life specialists & Clown Care units became common place, but if Clown Care had been around I would’ve been freaked out by it, so don’t feel that bad for me.

Being in the hospital sucks, no matter how necessary and how much you want to have something done. The food is bad, the TV is even worse most of the time, you don’t sleep much thanks to early morning rounds and the constant visits by nurses (maybe that’s just me), there isn’t much to do even if you were feeling good enough to do something.

Being a chaplain intern at a major hospital give me a different prospective about being in the hospital. It didn’t make it more cheerful; in fact I often left in tears or on the phone with a friend telling her how crappy I felt after talking to people. I felt bad afterwards but my visits made people feel good. I was often the only non medical person that visited them during their hospital stay. I often felt a lot of pressure after asking if a person had had a any visitors, to be told I was the only one. I was sent to be spiritual support but I think I ended up being more than that to some people. There were days that it felt good to be of service to these people, but it often weighed heavily on me. Why was I the only one to visit?

People need so much more than medicine and science to help them heal, and so many just don’t get it.

Having anyone visit you is a blessing. Having someone visit you and share one of their gifts with you is a major blessing.

The Musicians On Call website has an amazing promo video.

They also have their own YouTube Channel of other promotions and videos. I encourage you to check out the organization for yourself & support them as you feel led to do, through money, time, or a simple prayer. Whatever you feel led to do please follow.

Other cool music related organizations:
(include but are not limited to)
Operation Music Aid- providing instruments to injured war veterans to help with their rehab
Save The Music- saving music programs in schools