Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Ministry During Difficult Times: Part 3

"Please pray for us as my wife will be having a fibroid removed."
These were the words I heard from a man at our church just days after we had escaped the hospital with Garrison.
The morning of the woman's surgery, the church staff was talking about how her husband probably needed our prayers and reassurance more than the patient!
So, when our pulpit minister said that he was going to visit them before the surgery, I immediately volunteered to go. With our recent worries and anxiety from a hospital stay, how could I turn down this opportunity? It was so fresh on my mind that I had NO problem walking back into a hospital environment.
It was obvious our friends were glad to see us. We made small talk and laughed. The gentleman hugged each of us and told us how glad he was that we came. Turning to me, he said, "I would have thought you would be tired of hospitals by now."
My reply: "I am...and that's exactly why I'm here!"
I knew his anxiety and the questions that must have been floating around in his mind. I knew his feeling of helplessness. I knew his overwhelming need to protect his family. I sympathized with his lack of sleep.
Father God, NEVER let me forget the draining emotions and faith-building experience of our recent stay in the hospital. I never want to fear hospitals again, but I want to see them as opportunities to help others. Father, keep this experience fresh and new for me. May I use this to minister to others the way You would minister to them. Help me to see opportunities, and to know what to say or do in tough times. In Jesus' name, Amen.

3 comments:

Shane Coffman said...

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Cor 1:3-4)

You are reflecting this beautifully, Franklin. Praise be to God for you!

Judy said...

I'm sure you and Tracy will be able to minister better to those experiencing health problems and their families. God can help us use the difficult circumstances in our lives to His glory.

preacherman said...

Wonderful.
I know over the last two years with my health and in and out of ICU and hospitals that I appreciated the prayers of those ministers who would come and pray over me. It definately gives comfort and strength for the family and patients which I believes helps the healing process. I think it is wonderful to turn a bad situation into an opportunity of ministry. Thank you Frank for sharing this with us. I hope you have a great week! :-)