Pastoral Care Work

Met an 89 year old man who was very emotional. He shared that he had Alzheimer’s and wished God had a cure for it. He was going out to dinner with a woman 65 years old. Possibly, she had taken him under her wings (opinion). He said he was on house arrest and lived alone for a few years now. I had prayer with him and he cried and cried. He felt it was ok for a man to cry and said that his sons were macho who did not believe in crying or church. I encouraged him to trust God and that he was not alone – God is our refuge in strength and ever present help. He knows God has been with him, but is so sad about this diagnosis of his.

Called to the room of a lovely lady whose family left when I arrived in order that I could speak to her alone. They had taken her off dialysis and was sending her to hospice care today. She was very alert and somewhat emotional. I asked her if she was ready and she said she was. She expressed concern for those left behind. We talked about heaven that there would be no more pain, sorrow and tears there. She hoped that God would give her enough to do in heaven. I said she would be kept busy enough. She was so lovely and as we talked my eyes filled with tears. I talked with her family after I had left the room and they told me they lived in Fairborn and used to attend the church that I attend when they were children. What a small world. They wanted me to tell the organist who used to pick them up about her in the hospital. The request was honored. It is a privilege to meet someone who is dying, yet so ready to go to heaven. She will have some rough days ahead more emotionally, but God will be with her. I am sure of that! Praise his name! I shared this with the organist who was faithful to visit her bedside at hospice. This lady passed away a few weeks later to rest in the Lord. Praise God, again!

Met a man who degraded himself. He said his wife said he was dumb and told me to hit him at one point. He just wanted to talk saying I was nice. It made me wonder what kind of life this man had had with people who were unkind to him. He said he found it difficult to be kind to people. We talked a while and he seemed to be doing well so I got up to leave however he woke up and told me to stay. I stayed for just a while and left. It is so sad to see people like this who think so little of themselves. He was in such extreme pain and would not call the nurse for help saying someone else was worse off. I went and told the station about his extreme pain and how he felt.

Was very concerned when I heard the news of one patient who died today while I was at the hospital. When I walked into his room, he told me he had some pain and wanted something for pain. I went and conveyed this to the staff. I was told later by another chaplain that he died. I never got to prayed with him and felt terrible about this. I do not understand this, but know that God did allow him to see a chaplain once time before he died. We never know how God used the visit that I am unaware of at this time. That is where I must trust God and leave it in his hands.