Caring for the Stories that Come to Us: Work Narratives and Their Sacred Promise

Abstract

People often lack opportunity and place to reflect upon and share the sacred moments that occur in their work. Thus, these experiences are marginalized and neglected. Yet, they embody the soul of one's vocation. Drawing upon material from narrative family therapy, this article suggests that attending to and remembering these core but marginalized experiences is an activity for pastoral care. Narratives integrate spirituality and work. The article discusses the structure of narrative, its life cycle, and living in a universe composed of many stories. It explains a storytelling ritual that creates a safe place among the listeners who can then receive the narrative's sacredness. Two extended examples of sacred work narratives are given. A task for pastoral care is to construct hospitable places, sanctuaries, to hear the voice of these marginalized stories.