Saddness

I have been in the ministry now for 30 years. During that time I have heard about every excuse as to why people are just too busy or just not interested in church. I understand that being involved in church is often time consuming and can be burdensome at times. However, it is at church, through worship and bible study, that our faith foundations are formed and strengthened.

I am the Chaplain this week at the hospital. Yesterday I got a call about 9:30 in the morning to report to the emergency room. When I arrived I saw a young mother holding her 2 month old daughter who had died suddenly. Shortly, the father of the child and other family members arrived. My first question is always the same. "Do you have a Pastor, Priest or Rabbi that I can call for you?" The family responded with a blank stare. For the next several hours I watched a grief stricken family deal with the unthinkable.

It is sad and sorrowful for anyone to have to experience the death an infant child. It is especially sad when they have to face such a tragedy without a faith perspective.

As a Pastor/Chaplain it is difficult to listen to people yell and scream and curse God, but it reminds me of how empty people's lives are without a faith perspective.

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me."