___This weekend has definitely been an interesting one. Saturday was great with time spent in fellowship, and being (or at least trying to be) a good father and a good neighbor. Sunday however was the day that has really caused me to stop and think about things a bit. I took my daughter to breakfast, and then on a quick stop to Wal-Mart to pick up some bait, and then we went fishing. While we were fishing, I got a phone call from the local hospital where I volunteer as a Chaplain. A family had requested the on-call Chaplain (me) for a consultation and last rites. After a quick clean up, I took my daughter and headed for the hospital wondering what words I could impart to bring comfort and what scriptures would put them at ease. I arrived at the hospital and a member of the nursing staff took my daughter and kept her occupied while I visited with the family.
___I talked with the patients family (brother, sister, and mother) at length about the patient’s life and faith background. I read to them some scripture of hope, faith, and perseverance, and reminded them that because of the patient’s faith in Jesus Christ, and because of their faith, this was not a “goodbye” so much as an “I’ll see you later.” I held their hands and prayed, and when we finished, they left because they couldn’t watch the patient’s body cease to function as the medical apparatus was removed. I held the patients hand, and stroked their forehead until the patient’s body followed where the mind had gone the day prior.
___As the nurse and I waited with the patient, staff from the rest of the hospital came to the patient’s room to visit and say goodbye. Bearing testament to the patient’s character each told of a care free, happy, and blessed soul who despite the illness did their best to bring light and life to those around them. They told of how the patient was a tenacious fighter, never giving up, and coming back from the brink of death many times before, and they told of disbelief that the patient was really gone, and how the world was just a bit darker without them.
___After the fact, I talked with the family once again. I told them that there would be no more suffering, no more pain, and though the patient was physically gone, that they had everlasting life. I told them about what I witnessed as the patient faded, the testimony of the hospital staff, and how I was disappointed that I wouldn’t get to meet the patient in this life. I told them that I would be forever touched by the light that brought into my life, however briefly, and that to honor the patient’s memory, when the mourning was done, we need to carry on that legacy of bringing light to others.
___I cannot adequately express the mixed emotions that this experience has brought me, the things that I’ve thought about, the questions I still have. My thoughts and prayers go to the patient’s family, and every life that the patient touched and blessed. I hope that we can all learn that death is not something to fear, that the only real reason to mourn is our own selfish desire to get back what we’ve lost, and that no matter how bad things seem for us, if we put on a brave face, and have a little faith, we can bring the light of Christ to those around us. I also learned that it is not always saying the right things, or reading the right scripture that brings people comfort during tumultuous times like this. The sincere act of being there and showing honest concern for both the family and patient are what help bring people through. Remember, we are all called to minister to others, and to bring the light of peace and hope to a broken world. God bless us all!


* I apologize for constantly using the phrase “the patient,” and though I personally believe that it sounds callous, and there is much that I left out, the privacy of the patient and their family has got to be considered first.