Faith Casts Out Fear

A True Story

(All names have been changed to preserve confidentiality.)

My husband and I, lay chaplain volunteers, entered Carolyn’s room with care, not wanting to awaken her if she were napping. We’ve grown to love all the “regulars” we visit, yet we can’t help but have favorites now and then, and Carolyn was a favorite.

We’d just come in from a surprisingly cold Texas day, and Carolyn reached out to warm my hands, rubbing them and pulling them under her soft San Antonio blanket. Carolyn was in her late 80s and always reminded me of my mom in Ohio.

At the end of a delightful visit, we assured Carolyn we’d be back the next week. “I’m going home!” she said joyfully, without hesitation. We shared her excitement and were enveloped in her sweet good-bye hugs.

The following week, we missed seeing Carolyn’s name on the door. We visited with the new resident, Beth, who, as a new arrival, needed ears to listen, hearts to understand, and people of faith to support her.

After our visit, we checked with the nurse in the hallway, asking if Carolyn had left for San Antonio happily. “No,” she said with a curious look. “Carolyn went Home-home.”

It wasn’t the first time our faith had soared and deepened through our ministry. People in our world often need to turn to their faith to cast out fear. Time and time again, we’ve seen that it will – that it does.

Today, be aware.
God’s Life floods your heart.
It’s always Raining Grace.