THE HAND OF GOD

The Right of God: robert r. lackney

Leaning against the wall, beneath the mounted TV set, becoming a witness to the Critical Care Team determined to restore Fred’s vital signs. I said a silent prayer.

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The situation was hopeless.

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Nevertheless, the activity went on and on and on: electric shocks, injections, manual compression of the chest, the monitor’s sounds penetrating the corridors of the critical care unit, and the “swish-swoosh” of compressed air entering the face mask- the room filling with staff, nurses, and doctors- and the steady cadence of the emergency care doctor whispering orders to Pam, “one more time!” until the words came, “Stop!”

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All had been done that could have been done to restore Fred’s life, a 75 year old man who had come into the hospital that morning feeling a “weakness”.
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And, now his heart had stopped and Fred was dead.

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Earlier, I was with Fred during his x-rays, walked at the side of his gurney, and held his hand.  Returning to room 506, he was placed in his bed.
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Pam, his nurse, looked at me and said in a low voice, 

“ Chaplain, he needs you more than he needs us.”

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 Leaning over the bed and placing my hand on Fred’s forehead I said,

“ Fred, everything is fine, your prayers are being said for you,
Do not be afraid- Christ is here with you.”
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 As my right hand lifted, the life data monitor started to “whine” and Fred became the sole interest of the 25 people of the emergency team. The next 30 minutes the scene was intense energy. I said a silent prayer.

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Love was in each face of the nurses and doctors. Love in full bloom.

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Scott, his friend, had brought Fred to the hospital emergency room, sensing that his “weakness” was serious and did not want him to be alone.

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Some say that the last moments of life are compressed into a single second.

Others teach that when we call out to Christ from our deathbed,
Christ will come: bringing all the angels, saints, and those we have loved in this life.
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 Many wonder what is the most important thing to say to a person who is about to die?  Fred taught me that all that is needed is to be there.

To hold a hand. To sing a silent prayer. To wait for Christ.
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Christ will come. Christ brings all those who loved us in this life to stand beside our deathbed.

Only the Good Things
Deacon robert r. lackney, Notes of a Hospital Chaplain, January 2012