I didn't want the call, close to midnight, that I was needed at the hospital.

But this visit would be a blessing for me as much or more than the one I attempted to bless with a visit.

Nearly 100 years old, this bright and gracious woman, devout in her faith asked for the Chaplain. When I arrived she welcomed me into her hospital room and wanted me to pray with her. On her bedside table was her prayer book that she grabbed for her emergency trip to the hospital. The book was marked on page 82 of My Daily Orthodox Prayer Book where I found a Prayer for One Who Is Suffering.

This was the prayer I prayed for her, at her request.
"Lord, how inscrutable are Your ways.
We confess that our thoughts are not Your thoughts.
And our ways are not Your ways.
You love us far more than we love You,
And your wisdom is far superior to ours.
Help us to yield our will to Yours,
And our puny knowledge of Your Grand Wisdom.
Help us to see Your love behind everything that happens to us.
For You are at work for good in our lives
  when we place our complete trust in You.
You know, Lord, how confused our minds are,
  and what great distress afflicts our hearts.
In our utter weakness we cry out to You,
  'My God, my God, why have You forsaken us?'
Have mercy, Lord, have mercy on us.
Relieve my pain as I am a victim of so
  much meaningless suffering and pain.
Do not prolong my agony.
We confess that You are never
  nearer to us than when our hearts are broken.
Come to us in our weakness, Lord,
  increase our faith.
Help us to pray as You did in Your agony,
  'Shall I not drink the cup which You,
  the Father has given me?'
You are our only hope, dear Lord,
  we seek refuge under the shelter of Your wings.
We bow down before You, the God of 
 mercies and bounties.
Full of love for Your children.
  You alone are the Physician of our souls
  and bodies,
And to You we give glory, to the Father,
  And to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit now and
forever. -Amen."

I held her hand and was awed by her peace as I looked into her eyes. "God is always with me. When I take a step, He takes a step with me," she said with a calm conviction.

My faith was strengthened and I was blessed when I was present to be the support and bring the blessing. That has happened many times.

Caring matters for the care receiver. It also matters for the the care giver.

My prayer for you today is that you are blessed in your soul as you care for others and that throughout the world the most excited and energetic people in ministry will be caregivers who are pouring out themselves to care for others.

I hope this post encouages you so that you care better than ever before.