Sometimes while doing chaplaincy rounds at M. D. Anderson, I happen to be in the right place at the right time to participate in a special moment. Today I got to be present for another one of those times.
I'd just entered a patient room, a guy I'd visited last week as well. He could hardly wait to tell me that the preacher and one of the elders from his home church had driven down from Oklahoma City to spend some time with him. And almost before he could finish the sentence, in they walked along with the patient's wife.
For the next 15 minutes, they took turns telling great church stories, which had us all (including the nurse who came in to do vitals) laughing, and enjoying each others' company. When the elder began telling about announcing to their Bible class yesterday morning that they were coming to Houston for this visit, both he and the patient shed tears -- evidence of the close bond they share. And then the five of us joined hands while the preacher of 60 years prayed about God's power and our shared desire for healing.
On our way out after the prayer, the preacher explained to the patient that they would visit him four times during this trip, the second time tonight after dinner. Each visit would be short, and would include prayer.
That these two men would drive from Oklahoma City to Houston speaks volumes about how valued this patient is to that church. And there are no words to express how valuable it was to this patient to have two dear friends be present with him during this time of trial.
I want to be that kind of friend. Because I need those kinds of friends.
I'd just entered a patient room, a guy I'd visited last week as well. He could hardly wait to tell me that the preacher and one of the elders from his home church had driven down from Oklahoma City to spend some time with him. And almost before he could finish the sentence, in they walked along with the patient's wife.
For the next 15 minutes, they took turns telling great church stories, which had us all (including the nurse who came in to do vitals) laughing, and enjoying each others' company. When the elder began telling about announcing to their Bible class yesterday morning that they were coming to Houston for this visit, both he and the patient shed tears -- evidence of the close bond they share. And then the five of us joined hands while the preacher of 60 years prayed about God's power and our shared desire for healing.
On our way out after the prayer, the preacher explained to the patient that they would visit him four times during this trip, the second time tonight after dinner. Each visit would be short, and would include prayer.
That these two men would drive from Oklahoma City to Houston speaks volumes about how valued this patient is to that church. And there are no words to express how valuable it was to this patient to have two dear friends be present with him during this time of trial.
I want to be that kind of friend. Because I need those kinds of friends.
1 comment:
Great story my friend!
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