Pastor Charles Trittin
October, 2007
The people kept coming, or were already there. I
was making a hospital call the other night. An All Saints member’s
elderly father had been in an accident was facing a risky surgery and
arduous recovery. I saw the first family members in the lobby and with
each step toward the room it seemed more arrived or were
already gathered. Children and grandchildren. Young and old.
Someone remarked it was good that the room was so big, then another
nervously wondered if the hospital staff would allow so many visitors.
I was introduced to some and re-introduced to others. We must have
numbered nearly twenty as we formed a horseshoe around the bed with the
patient at the center. Each seemed to take a turn with dad or grandpa
who was lively and talkative. Several other conversations began.
Particulars about the accident were shared, as were questions arising
from everyday life, like, “Who has your kids?” Then the stories began -
affecting personal stories about life with dad and in this family - told
with a voice of grace, faith, and love. Eventually I was asked to begin
the task of pulling things together with prayer. I took my place at the
bottom of the horseshoe with the patient. But first a few more stories
punctuated with healthy laughter. We held hands, prayed and closed with
The Lord’s Prayer. I felt blessed as I walked out the door.
I went to a different hospital two days later. This time it was first
thing in morning to visit a member who had surgery the day before. When
I found the room the curtain was closed and I gently knocked on the
door. “Come in,” said the patient. She was alone.
“Pastor Chuck, thank you for coming.” All had gone well the day before
and all was well that morning. She was relieved and felt better than
she had in a long time. She said she wished she had the surgery years
before. Her daughter was coming later in the day and her son had
called. She had plans to sit up on the bed later in the morning and
then move to a chair in the afternoon. An aide came in with her liquid
breakfast and then a nurse to check her vitals. She asked me to say a
prayer before the nurse busied herself. Together we closed with,
“Amen.” The nurse, too. Again, I felt blessed.
We’re in this together and we need each other. God is with us in
a special way when we come together. Whether in large groups of
family or in clusters of two or three; at church, in the hospital,
over coffee, or on a Saturday night; sharing good news or difficulty;
for awhile or just a few minutes, being together is at the center of
our
faith. It’s a privilege and a blessing for me to join you.
Blessings and peace,
Pastor Charles Trittin