02/08/2024
We did not make it to the hospital today for chaplain duty as Suzanne was tired from an overnight stay with the grandkids this week. And I am healing from a sore throat.
So I thought I would share a story from our days of ministry at Memorial Hospital West pre-pandemic.
Our team was back at Memorial Hospital West today for our outreach "Music, Mirth & Miracles." We always seem to have a great time with patients, but today was SOMETHING SPECIAL.
As Paul K., Anne K., Suzanne & I were walking from the parking garage to the main entrance of Memorial Hospital West today Sunday 2-23-20, we encountered a patient with a baby and her friend sitting on a bench. As we walked by, I thought that I heard someone say "Can I get some directions?" I asked the patient if she had a question and/or needed some help. She said "No, I didn't say anything." However, she was curious about what we were doing at the hospital with my carrying a guitar case.
Suzanne spoke to the patient, explaining our ministry of music and prayer. Suzanne also said that if she would like a visit, we would come to her room. The patient agreed.
We were scheduled for one of the oncology units, saw 5 patients there and then headed up to the 7th floor where the lady that we met by the front entrance was being treated.
We asked about her children (she had 2 others plus the baby in her room with her) and we discussed her diagnosis.
Then the patient said "I want you to know something. Just before you walked by, I was thinking about what direction my life was taking. I didn't want sound weird when you asked if I needed some help. I explained to her that I had heard in my spirit "Can I get some directions?" The patient was intrigued by this revelation.
She then told us that there was no cure for her diagnosis. I said "with God, all things are possible" and then played the song "God Will Make A Way." We prayed and then Suzanne asked if she ever, as an adult, asked Jesus into her life. She said that she did not. Suzanne led the patient in a prayer of salvation while her friend sat there beaming. Apparently, her friend, a born-again Christian, had been suggesting that the patient make that commitment.
Apparently, this patient found some direction.