October 2010
Last week was just really…interesting. Busy at work, home, church…
Spent a lot of time with a Hospice patient, who was also a friend from a long time ago, here in Madison. Only got to spend a few days with him and his wife, but what a treasured time that was. To see how God is at work in the hearts of His people was heartwarming.
Usually I don’t get to spend the last hours with patients and their families, but this time was different. I was called at midnight to help with pain control, and other details. I was tired! But he was alert without a blood pressure and he was able to speak clearly to each of his 4 children on the phone. He asked me what might happen next, and when I told him he would probably fall asleep and wake up and see Jesus, he got the sweetest smile on his face.
“When only your last battle remains to be fought, you shall find that the hand of your conquering Captain has not grown feeble--the living Saviour shall cheer the dying saint.” Charles Spurgeon
I was called back at 4:30 pm because he was restless. I explained that even if he wasn’t speaking, he could probably hear everything. So, we prayed, and sang his favorite hymns, and read scripture. And reminisced about a life well lived. His daughter was there, and she sang a hymn that her sister had written for the folk’s 45th anniversary earlier in the summer. Pastor Tim was called, and he read favorite scriptures (Psalm 23 was one). As we were singing “Jesus Loves Me” and “It Is Well with my Soul” he took his final breaths and did go to see his Savior, I’m certain. I leaned over and whispered in his wife’s ear “he fought the good fight” and she replied “and remained faithful to the end”.
2nd Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
The other daughter arrived a few minutes later and she was distraught, of course. I took her over near her Dad and she loved on him, touched him, and told him goodbye and how much she loved him. The family spent a lot of time sharing, laughing, and remembering. What a precious time it was for them!
I am amazed to think that people die without a Savior who assures us of eternal life. It is difficult when a loved one dies who knows Jesus; I can’t imagine how a family handles death without this assurance.
The funeral was a tribute to a great man, with the message of salvation distinctly proclaimed.
I am thankful to have had a small part in this whole process. Makes being “the Hospice nurse” worthwhile.
Last week was just really…interesting. Busy at work, home, church…
Spent a lot of time with a Hospice patient, who was also a friend from a long time ago, here in Madison. Only got to spend a few days with him and his wife, but what a treasured time that was. To see how God is at work in the hearts of His people was heartwarming.
Usually I don’t get to spend the last hours with patients and their families, but this time was different. I was called at midnight to help with pain control, and other details. I was tired! But he was alert without a blood pressure and he was able to speak clearly to each of his 4 children on the phone. He asked me what might happen next, and when I told him he would probably fall asleep and wake up and see Jesus, he got the sweetest smile on his face.
“When only your last battle remains to be fought, you shall find that the hand of your conquering Captain has not grown feeble--the living Saviour shall cheer the dying saint.” Charles Spurgeon
I was called back at 4:30 pm because he was restless. I explained that even if he wasn’t speaking, he could probably hear everything. So, we prayed, and sang his favorite hymns, and read scripture. And reminisced about a life well lived. His daughter was there, and she sang a hymn that her sister had written for the folk’s 45th anniversary earlier in the summer. Pastor Tim was called, and he read favorite scriptures (Psalm 23 was one). As we were singing “Jesus Loves Me” and “It Is Well with my Soul” he took his final breaths and did go to see his Savior, I’m certain. I leaned over and whispered in his wife’s ear “he fought the good fight” and she replied “and remained faithful to the end”.
2nd Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
The other daughter arrived a few minutes later and she was distraught, of course. I took her over near her Dad and she loved on him, touched him, and told him goodbye and how much she loved him. The family spent a lot of time sharing, laughing, and remembering. What a precious time it was for them!
I am amazed to think that people die without a Savior who assures us of eternal life. It is difficult when a loved one dies who knows Jesus; I can’t imagine how a family handles death without this assurance.
The funeral was a tribute to a great man, with the message of salvation distinctly proclaimed.
I am thankful to have had a small part in this whole process. Makes being “the Hospice nurse” worthwhile.
