People are hurting every day. They have problems that they need to share with someone. Some do not have a close relationship with God; therefore, do not feel a connection to a source that gives them comfort in time of need. It is the duty of a Chaplain to help them connect to their inner feelings, express them, give them hope, and lead them to a faith and trust in God. He alone, is the ultimate source for their strength and fears. He used the Chaplain.
I stopped by to see if there was a patient who needed some help the other day. I was headed to another location to work and decided to check if anyone needed me where I had stopped. A Chaplain had visited a certain patient who was very ill for me earlier. I decided (thought came to my mind) to follow up since I was at the location. A staff member told me that she was out - meaning non responsive. I gave it a try. During the course of the visit, the patient opened her eyes several times and seemed with me. Talked with her and prayed. A couple days later I stopped by and a staff member told me she was dying. I went in to see her and told this staff member ; she seemed surprised to hear that. I thank God that he gave her another opportunity to seek him; as I know he sent me to see her. What a blessing that I obeyed.
I came across a mother who was in the ER pregnant, lost her job, and her son in ER due to trying to take his life. She was upset emotional and crying - not knowing what to do or how she would make it. I attempted to encourage her and suggested Social Services. They were on their way to help her. As I visited with her son, I heard a story from his perspective. He was not doing well in school, felt they were against him, tired of his mom's yelling, ect, back and forth between his dad and mom, did not like his mom, and felt life was no use in living. What a mess! I could see he needed someone understanding to just listen to him, support him, and give him hope. I shared some reasons why he needed to live, encouraged him to look in the future not just the present, as life has a way of changing for the better after those teen years. I encouraged him to watch his responses to others and be more tolerant with his mother and respectful. He listened very well, and I hope and pray took to heart what I shared with him. I have since prayed for this young man that God will use what I said. However, he did not want to see his mother when I told him she was waiting. I conveyed this to her. She was defensive and told her not to feel she was the blame. We are none the blame for what other choices people make - good or bad. However, we do influence others and need to be careful of how we live so others see Christ in us.
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