Night at the E.R.

Sounds like the opening title for a horror movie. The other night I ended up spending lots of hours at the Emergency Room. I thought it would be a nightmare but it turned out to be an inspiration.

Raymond Payne is an 85-year old man who has been a family friend for nearly a year now. He’s very eccentric, in excellent health, and is as independent as possible. Last week while riding his electric cycle on a strip of highway his rear axle came apart and he had a big crash.  Some scraping on his head and a gash on his elbow.  I was called at work by his apartment manager and so I spent the next 9 hours in our local ER with him. They stitched Raymond up and gave him a prescription that cost him $45 dollars. The night there was long and boring but I enjoyed his company. I also came away with inspiration for "real ministry" J ideas.

All in all, I learned what a great place an ER is to go to and spend time with hurting people. Just sitting among those there and talking with them can really help. Just praying and keeping your "spiritual radar" sensitive for ways you might be able to help someone there.

It could be conversations. Either bringing in or buying from the ER machines cool drinks or pre-packaged snacks to share for those there that can’t afford them. So many people with children come to the ER and many of them can’t afford to buy the pharmacy prescriptions the doctors give them.  A person could be willing to shuttle those needing a ride home from the ER once in awhile or on certain nights. You could donate magazines, books, or even purchase the things needed to make a little play area for kids who have to spend so many hours there.

Are you looking for a way to minister to those in your community? The sick, the hurting? The local ER may be an excellent place to start looking…

 

 

James Matthews and family