Hospital visits – room #, please
A few years ago, hospital visits were part of my weekly schedule. It wasn’t uncommon for me to walk into a hospital, approach the visitor’s desk and ask, “Can you tell what me what room so and so is in?” I didn’t always have the room number for the person I was visiting.
There were times I didn’t have their real name. Did you know many people have a nickname? When it comes to hospital stays, your real name is used to identify you, so it’s a good idea to let others know what your real name is even if you don’t like your birth name.
Next up, the elevator ride
“Eleven.”
“Four.”
” Seven please.”
The elevator door shuts quietly. We all stand there uncomfortably looking at the floor, the ceiling, or anything else – except at each other. As the elevator reaches each floor, we give the nod to the parting guest as if we have been chatting for the whole time.
Eventually, it makes it to my floor. The door opens, and I hurriedly step on solid ground. I still haven’t gotten over the fear the elevator car will drop suddenly, leaving me gripping the marble floor with my fingertips screaming for help. Who am I kidding? My arm strength isn’t that great.
I started doing hospital visits some years ago when I began serving the Lord. It started very slowly. At first, I was a little hesitant, wondering if I would be intruding on their privacy.
Here’s what I have learned
When people get admitted to the hospital, it’s usually unexpected. They are sick plus there aren’t many people who are okay with someone seeing them at their worst. But what I have learned is most people appreciate someone coming to see them if only for a few moments. They appreciate someone taking the time out of their busy schedule.
Here’s what I have seen
As I walk the halls at the hospital, I pass many rooms with doors wide open. Depending on the floor I’m on, dictates the kind of patients I see. Often I see patients surrounded by family or a lifelong spouse keeping a vigilant watch. Too many times though, I see patients alone. There’s no one in the room, and the patient is laying there, staring at the ceiling.
As I walk by those rooms, they glance at the door, hoping it’s someone they know. Sometimes I see fear on their faces, other times disappointment. I nod as I walk by and most of the time I get a nod in return or a small smile. Some days their only visits all day are their nurse, the doctor making rounds, food wagon or the cleaning lady who is there to mop the floor.
I understand not everyone can make hospital visits for one reason or another. But here’s what everyone can do for those in the hospital – pray.
Yes, you can pray
You can pray for the sick in the hospitals and their families, the staff, and those who run the hospitals. You can pray for those who bring them to the hospital, the doctors and nurses who diagnose them, and those who volunteer. You can pray for their healing, their future health and well-being.
It’s free
Prayer is free and something we can do all day, every day. We don’t have to know names. We don’t have to know specifics because we have an all-powerful and all-knowing God who longs to hear from His children.
If you aren’t able to do hospital visits, then pray for those who can, and for the ones they visit. It is needed more than you realize.
Let’s pray
Father, I thank you for all those who give of themselves to care for the sick. Lord, we pray for those who are suffering. We pray for medical needs are met. Our prayers also go out to doctors, nurses, transporters, surgeons, janitorial, ER, paramedics and everyone else who works in the medical field. Father, I know there are times they cannot unsee the horrific tragedies. Father, I ask that you comfort them and grace them with pleasant memories. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In His Service,
Jeanette Duby, The Teaching Lady
#medical #healthissues #hospitals #chaplains
Recent Comments