I had a doctors appointment.
And while waiting for my turn.
An older woman came to sit by me. I say older, meaning, older than me.
But younger than my mom, perhaps.
Clearly she was very ill, considering we were in Oncology and she had no hair.
She asked me to watch her things, saying I looked very trustworthy.
Left her purse and her drink and went to the restroom.
While she was gone, I got called back for my labs, and just took her stuff with me. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving it in the waiting room.
I got started with my labs and she came in shortly after.
She sat down beside me, gave me a weak and weary smile and told me I was an angel. Her angel, and that she “knew” she could trust me.
While we waited for the nurse to administer my shot. And the nurse to access her port.
I asked her how she was doing, clearly I knew, not well.
She said she awoke, coughing up blood at 3 am and couldn’t go back to sleep.
I told her I was sorry, she must be exhausted. Which she said she was. She looked quite frail and tired. I was wondering what was wrong with her, as I am always very nosy. But in my maturing, I have quit asking so many questions. Can you imagine?
For those who know me in real life. They will understand this part.
She was quiet for a bit and then looked at me and said.
“I’m sick”. To which I said. “I know”.
She then said, ” I have lung cancer“.
And I said, “I’m so sorry”.
Her breathing was clearly laborious.
She then went on to tell me that she just wanted to go home. That she didn’t want to hear what the doctor had to say. That “it is what it is” and that she didn’t want to burden her daughter yet again with another day spent at the doctor.
That it’s ironic how at this stage of her life, her daughter must now take care of her in a role reversal of sorts.
Then the nurses got busy with the both of us.
I finished up.
And took one last look at her.
Her head was turned away from me and her fists were clenched and shaking.
The nurse was drawing blood from her port.
And I heard a voice.
I think it was His.
And He said go.
Now.
Don’t waste this moment.
And, I am sure I was nervous and a little shaky.
I was afraid that my words would come out in a jumble…. which often happens when I am unsure.
But….
I boldly stepped around her nurse so that I could make eye contact with her.
I reached for her hand and said….
I don’t know you.
I don’t know if you even believe in the power of prayer.
But may I may pray for you?
In fact. I just will. OK?
This must be an extremely scary, painful and difficult time that you are facing.
I can only imagine how you must be feeling.
I will also pray for your family as they face these days ahead.
And she started crying.
She grabbed my hands with all her might.
She pulled me in for the sweetest of hugs.
I think she may have even kissed my cheek.
And she said.
My name is Sherry.
Thank you my sweet – darling – angel.
You may pray for me.
I would appreciate it ever so much.
Bless you.
It made me cry.
She cried and I think the other nurse even cried.
The nurse said to me~
As I headed for the door.
That she couldn’t believe I just did that.
It was a blessing to her to witness.
Then she thanked me for my sweet words of encouragement.
And I hurried my weepy self right out of there.
I have never done that before.
Asked somebody.
A stranger.
If I could pray for them.
Boldly
I will never forget her face. Her look of gratitude. Her tears. Her fear. Her resolution.
She changed my life in that….
There were some things I wanted to say to my daughter.
Nothing over the top. But still some things I needed her to hear.
Because you never know, right?
Our last moment…. could be any moment.
And, I am sure that Sherry has more of an awareness of her limited moments, than I do of mine.
So, I honored that sad and weary stranger, with a heartfelt and tear filled call to my daughter.
Life is so precious.
Thank God for pushing me with a voice so loud, that I could not ignore.
Boldly
Sherry~ I don’t know you. Our paths crossed for one moment in time. I believe. A very precious moment indeed. I hope that I touched you in that moment as much as you did me. I prayed for you and will continue to do so. I pray that you will find some measure of comfort and peace.
And I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for your sweet reminder of the most important things in life.
My life.
May God bless you and keep you, dear woman.
Kristin
Thank you so much for sharing this with us today Kristin!
This was so beautiful and made me cry. I just spent last week with my dad in the hospital. He had a 104 degree fever and we were sure we were going to lose him. I wrote this when I got home-
http://lorialexander.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-if-he-died.html
Life is so precious…Love all those around you because you never know when it will be their last day.
Blessings,
Lori
Very touching! You were an angel to her. In the scripture God used angels to deliver messages and he still does! She received a sweet message.
Dear Vanessa and Heather~
I have read this post over and over.
I have relived those moments over and over.
It still makes me weepy.
And I often wonder…
Did I say enough?
Could I have said more?
I’m not even sure if she believed in what I believe.
I don’t even know if she knows…Him.
But
I do know this.
This moment was not even about me.
Or Sherry.
It was about Him.
And what He is asking us to do.
Requiring us to do.
On His behalf.
We are not only the hands and feet of Jesus.
But the heart, soul and voice.
And remaining silent….
Hurts Him.
And us.
I pray that all of your readers today, read this, and then are reminded of how one moment in time.
Or a few kind words can change your life, or theirs.
Thank you so much, my friends, for inviting me to share this story.
Together we can change the world.
One life, or one moment at a time.
Love, Kristin
XO
A truly beautiful and touching post. I volunteer in hospice and patients come from all backgrounds and ethnicities and religious beliefs. I myself have asked this question if they are lucid, and just go right to praying for them if they are not. xo
What a beautiful and powerful post.
Beautiful… to be chosen to be God’s hands and minister to Sherry at her moment of heartache and pain was surely a humbling and unforgettable experience for Kristin. I’m so glad she obeyed when God said, “Go.” And I’m glad you all shared this today. Such a wonderful reminder that God wants our availability…
OMG. That was so sad though so moving. I’m praying for Sherry as well as Kristin. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day. Hugs.
Thanks for sharing this lovely message of hope and love. I recently had an accident and was about to leave for the emergency room, when a man asked if I would mind if he prayed for me. I was deeply honored as he prayed for me as he, my husband, the wife of the man, and I joined hands. We were strangers and now are friends. I’ll never forget their kindness and they are in my prayers.
Thanks for sharing your love with us, too!
Helen
You are beautiful inside and out! Praising the Lord for such a wonderful bloggy friend~
~Cinnamon
Wonderful post, I will pray for Sherry and all those that suffer with this horrible disease.
Beautiful post and what a glorious opportunity to be an ‘angel’ for this lady. You never know how the obediant step you took will minister to many and especially the one you prayed over. I am sure God was smiling.
What a beautiful, beautiful story of His love working through Kristin! We are surrounded by dear people who are crying out on the inside. People who feel they have been forgotten, or maybe a burden to their loved ones. The sick and broken lay before us. May we be His heart on this earth and love each and every one of them. Thank you ladies for sharing! Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
that was a powerful testimony. It got me teary eyed. My heart goes to whom share their faith especially with strangers. Such heavenly heroes.
Thanks for sharing.
Myric
What a beautiful post. This is a much needed reminder that one act of simple obedience to the voice of God can change lives…others and ours too.
So beautiful, Kristin. I am praying for Sherry, too.
Kristin~ I dont know you and dont even know how I found your blog but am thankful that I did. Because in this moment I know God lead me to it. I will now be putting it on my list of blogs. My mom has lung cancer and we are going on a year with it. She is 82. I am in constant prayer for her and will pray for Sherry too. Blessings Pam
I just found your blog but don’t recall who’s blog I found it through but that was truly beautiful. It sounds like something our Pastor would do. I’d like to share this with him. Sherry was definately touched by an angel–YOU! You made a difference in her life when she needed it most. I know she will never forget your kindness and your prayer.