the Bible and Bingo

One of the things I love about being a hospital chaplain is that behind every door or curtain, there is a story.  A world-class athlete in an intensive care unit, a homeless woman in the critical decision unit, a retired magician in the stepdown unit. Every patient, a story.

Such was the case with Cindy, a 40-year-old woman with physical and mental disabilities as the result of a childhood illness. When I met Cindy, she was past the point of being able to communicate. I was asked to come pray with her family as they transitioned her into hospice care. 

Surrounding her bed were her mother, father, sister, brother, aunt and uncle—all of whom were smiling through tears. Smiles that couldn’t be helped as they shared stories about Cindy; and tears that couldn’t be helped as they knew they were about to say goodbye.

Before I prayed, I wanted to know more about this special woman named Cindy. I learned that she had been living in an assisted living home for many years where she brought energy and joy to her fellow residents, particularly through her smiles and backrubs!

I asked if there was anything in particular that she enjoyed doing. The family all agreed there were two things she loved:  (1) Hearing people read the Bible, and (2) Bingo!”

It was my turn to smile through tears.

I was overcome with joy at the beauty of this special needs woman finding such happiness in hearing the Word of God. That God, in His mercy and grace, and through His Spirit, would be able to touch the soul of Cindy in some sacred divine way far beyond anything I could comprehend.

I was overcome with sadness as I considered how many people have never experienced such joy in hearing the Word of God. Either because they have never had access to it…or because they have opted out.

I was overcome with pride for a family I had just met. A family that had remained by their loved one’s side through many difficult years—with her to the end—and testifying to her love of “all things God.”

I was overcome with awe at the way God could connect my heart so quickly with a patient named Cindy, whom I would never speak with and would only know in the last hours of her life. Yet, in an instant, I could experience a bond with this woman who, like me, loves the Bible…and Bingo!

Doors.

Stories.

God.

I’m just thinking…what could be more beautiful?

Featured photo: Door seen within the streets of Paris.