One of the things I seriously enjoy in pastoral ministry is hospital visitation.  I know that’s weird. Most people do all they can to avoid hospitals and I get that.  But I’ve found that many conversations of eternal significance occur when you’re sitting next to someone in the hospital. In 30 years of ministry, I’ve never had anyone refuse prayer while in the hospital.  I suppose some hard-core atheists might do so, but generally I’ve found that even people who deny God altogether will shrug their shoulders and give a well-it-can’t get-any-worse-than-this-and-maybe-it-will-help nod to prayer.

Last week, I went up to Reading Hospital to visit Eugene Beiler who was recovering from bronchitis.  When I got there, he was doing great and getting ready to go home, so our conversation was light and lively.  So, lively, in fact, that his roommate on the other side of the curtain would occasionally chime in with a comment or laugh.

After wrapping up my conversation and praying with Mr. Beiler, I rose to leave, and on a whim, said in a loudish voice, “Well, let me pop in and see your roommate.  Maybe he could use some encouragement too!”  And with that, I ducked my head around the curtain and said, “Hi, I’m Steve.  Can I pray with you?”  There, lying on the bed was an alert, kindly looking man, pushing 60 with piercing eyes, graying hair, and a close-trimmed goatee.  He gestured to the chair next to him and I sat down. “I’m *Jim.” he said. (not his real name)

After brief chitchat, he started. “I don’t believe in God, exactly. I was raised Catholic, but it was all shame and judgment, so I dropped that.”  He went on, “I’m a science guy and for a long time, I was agnostic. But now I’m in AA and have found that praying to a higher power helps me.”

Awkward Pause. Wow, well that wasn’t what I expected.  He caught me flat footed, and I was unprepared.  A brain fog set in.  What should I say next? I mumbled a few things about religion and the church.

“Well, how can I pray for?” I finally blurted.

“Pray that I don’t go back to the bottle when I leave here.” He said matter of factly.

I’m not sure exactly how the conversation flowed from that point on.  But it was brief.  I prayed.  He thanked me. I left.  And as I walked down the hall, I had the distinct feeling that I could have done better. But what could I do now?  Go back to the room and say, “Hey, I dropped the ball with you, let’s talk some more?”

I wrestled with that all the way home.

Through the night and the next morning, I had a growing impression that I should go back and try to see him again.  So, after a few hours at the church, I retraced my steps back to Reading Hospital. But when I got to the lobby, I realized I had a problem. Reading Hospital is not open access. To get past the lobby, at the information desk you must provide the patient’s name.  They check the status and then generate a tag which allows you to pass the security guard.  Without a patient’s name, you can’t get in.  And I didn’t know Jim’s last name.  Somehow, I didn’t think the receptionist would buy, “Hey, there’s this guy named Jim I saw yesterday in room 304. I’m here to see him again.”

I sat in the lobby watching the security check point, irrationally pondering if I could somehow create a distraction and give them the slip. But then it occurred to me… maybe the chaplaincy could help me.  I called the main hospital line from my cell phone and was redirected.

“Chaplain White, speaking.”  Came the crisp greeting.  This sounded promising.

I introduced myself and explained the situation: I’m a pastor. I had visited someone from our church yesterday and also had a conversation with his roommate named Jim.  But the person I visited is now home.  I’m back in the area and thought it would be nice to visit Jim again, if that would be okay. I didn’t tell him I was sitting in the lobby.

After confirming details and room numbers, Chaplain White replied, “Steve, that’s so nice. I wish more people would follow the Spirit’s lead like that… I’ll tell you what I can do.  I’ll go down to Jim’s room and ask him if he’d like a visit from you. And if he does, I’ll call you right back.”

Ten minutes passed and my phone rang.  “Hi Steve, Jim would be fine with a visit.  Can you get over to the hospital this afternoon?”  the chaplain asked.  “Yes, I think I can manage that.” I replied smiling.  “But I don’t know his last name.”

“Oh right. His last name is *Anderson.” (not his real name)

“Thank you, Chaplain White.”

I don’t have time to go into detail, but I had a good visit with Jim. He shared about his lifelong struggle with alcohol and the strain that it put on relationships in his life.  He had fallen off the wagon and was in the hospital for a 3-day detox. He would be released soon and desperately wants to stay sober.  He was in AA and working the steps.

“Jim,” I said, “I know you pray to a ‘higher power’ but for a Christian that is God the Father who sent Jesus into the world.  I know you said that God was presented to you as judgmental and angry and I’m sincerely sorry about that. But can I read to you what Jesus said to people like you and me when he was on the earth?”

Jim nodded.

“Matthew 11:28-30 says, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’”

“Thanks Steve, that really encourages me.” Jim said quietly.

I wish I could say that Jim had a radical conversion that day.  The conversation didn’t go that way but I definitely think God wanted me to go back.  “Saving” people is His job.  Our part is to be faithful with our opportunities and in this case, a second chance.  I’m glad I said “yes” to the Spirit.  I have the visitor pass on my desk and I’ve been praying for “Jim Anderson” most every day.  Maybe you can pray too.

[One] plants the seed, [another] waters it, but God makes it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Here’s a song that has impacted me about sharing the gospel. I hope you find it impactful too.