(This post is part of the continuing series ABCs of Hospital Chaplaincy.)
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had the following exchange with a patient or family member in the hospital:
“Hi, my name is Stacy. I’m the hospital chaplain.”
“Oh, thank you for coming, but I don’t believe in God.”
My response varies. In my early days as a chaplain intern, I would have allowed this to be the end of the visit. But now, with a few years’ experience under my belt, I don’t walk away so quickly. Sometimes I’ll ask them what it means to them not to believe in God. Sometimes I’ll be honest enough to say, “That’s okay; sometimes I don’t really believe either.” But usually, I just breathe a silent prayer to the God I (usually) believe in and offer whatever support I can to the person across from me. We may never mention God again, but God is there. Continue reading “G is for God”