May 1, 2007

“Who is like God?”

I received a page, from Nurse B., about her thirty-something year old male patient. He was showing signs of deep distress and had asked the nurse to contact the chaplain. I don’t always receive or ask for many details about the patient. I’ve found that the less I know beforehand, the more I actually learn from the patient.

Walking in to the patient’s room, I introduced myself as Chaplain Martin. The shades on the windows were drawn and I felt like I’d walked into a cave. Among a host of medical problems he battled, he told me that he was clinically depressed. In addition, he said, “I’ve ransacked my life with drugs and alcohol.” I asked, “Micah, what is your pain?” This simple question opened his heart and evoked a catharsis of confession. Sensing the appropriateness, I asked if I might pray about all that he shared with me. He wept and nodded his head.

I saw Micah a few days after our first meeting and was taken aback by his appearance. “Wow!” You look like a different man,” I remarked. “I am,” he said smiling. “Tell me what brought about this metamorphosis,” I inquired. I don’t recall his exact words, but the essence was this: “Chaplain, I prayed and finally connected to Jesus.” I certainly didn’t need to perform a scientific experiment to verify this man’s ‘inside change’ had produced startling and verifiable ‘outward’ results.

I saw Micah one last time. “Micah, do you know the meaning of your name?” He shook his head. “I think you’re ready to begin living fully in and out of who you are created to be.” I pulled a piece of paper out of my portfolio as he watched me with childlike curiosity. Looking at me in amazement, he read: “Who is like God?”

I received an e-mail from Micah a week after he was discharged.

To: Chaplain Cody Martin

From: Micah

Hello, it is Micah. I just wanted you to know that I am continuing to get better every day. The time that you spent with me was such a blessing in my heart. I realize that this might sound a bit funny, but I do not know any other way to put it. I have really been blessed by you coming into my life, and I cannot thank you enough! Again...Thank you for everything that you have done; you're Inspiration has driven me so much closer to our Father JESUS CHRIST and it has been a huge blessing within my heart.

One of my psychiatric patient’s regularly reminds me, “Chaplain, God loves people and he answers prayer.” I pray that I might live fully in and out of my name both in and outside of the hospital. Cody Anne means “a cushion of grace.” May you be so bold as to ask God to reveal the meaning of your name and the courage to live in the fullness of your purpose.

Shalom.

Bless and be a blessing!