Some thoughts on recent visits for end of life...

I have trust in God going before me into different situations as I walk around the hospital.

Often I will visit someone who has been sat there praying for a Chaplain to arrive!

On an evening call out I trusted in these timings - walking through the hospital in the evening is a completely different experience; everything is so much softer and quiet. This patient was at the end of their life but was still speaking with their family who surrounded them. With a room full of relatives I gave everyone a heart pebble to hold as we all said the Lord's Prayer together and Psalm 23 - the patient reached out and asked what I had on my arm - I have a dove tattoo as a reminder of the Holy Spirit. I explained this and the patient held on to it.

When I left, one of the relatives thanked me and said that were grateful that I had come at that time - that they now felt safe that their loved one will be okay on their onward journey and it had provided strength and comfort.

Another time, I had just got back from visiting some patients on one of the wards and there was a call for end of life prayers - I got my books together and went straight over.

I happened to get into the same lift as someone I had met recently on retreat, who works occasionally in Brighton - a real chance meeting. We spoke briefly before they headed just across the ward from my patient.

It was just God, the patient and I in that room. As I always do, I placed a wooden cross on the patient and started the prayers. There is an “act of faith” where I will read out the words on behalf of the patient - when I read “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” there was a reaction and a change in the patients breathing. I stopped briefly then continued the final few prayers. I suddenly became aware that they had taken their last breath and I could only stand in complete silence at the power that was in the room. It was as if time had suddenly stood still and everything was in slow motion.

I said the prayers following death and then moved out of the room - what a blessing to have walked alongside this patient in the final breaths, and provide the words to carry them on their way. I still can't believe the timings and how this all unfolded, the chance encounter and arriving back to take the call - but God's timing is always perfect.

We are all walking through this valley together - we are walking each other home. Sometimes people have to go on ahead of us - but we will catch up one day - we can be assured in the place they have gone to rest - a place beyond our understanding full of love and happiness and peace. They have gone to a place “prepared for them” and have been taken there safely. Whether you have a faith or not - scientifically we are made up of light and energy - which never dies, it disperses and remains. And love also never dies. We remain forever in light and love.

Jesus is the light of the world and his love sustains us through the “comforter” the Holy Spirit which is ever present......

Deuteronomy 31:8

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV says “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”.

Psalm 23:

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

for the sake of His name.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Or to be listened to - a patient and fellow congregation member introduced me to this before they died - I play it often in the hospital.

Brother James' Air - Gordon Jacob