Years ago, I was a volunteer Chaplin at Levine Dickson Hospice House (LDHH) in Huntersville. The home has 16 beds with lots of patient turnover averaging two new patients each day. Some patients are there briefly for caregiver respite, some are discharged once their symptoms are under control, and some pass on. Since I only volunteered twice a week, I was always meeting new patients or at least I visited new patients each time I was there. They weren’t always conscious.

One such person was a younger lady from South Carolina. She had a sudden medical incident that she would not recover from and was completely unresponsive. She was admitted to LDHH, and her family was notified. While we waited for the family, I decided to spend time with her. I prayed over her and read Scripture aloud. But no one at LDHH really knew anything about her. Who is she as a person? Who is her family? Did she have faith? And most importantly did she know Jesus?

It just so happened that the Holy Spirit led me to Ezekiel 37 that morning. I opened the Word and started reading. By the 2nd verse I knew that I was hearing this lady’s story being revealed through Ezekiel. By the 3rd verse, I was in tears realizing that God was present with us and He was in control. I paused to pray for her after being encouraged in the 4th verse. After the 5th and 6th verses, I knew the most important aspect of this woman’s life. At some point, she had said ‘YES’ to Jesus. With that decision, her eternal life was secure.

I had just met her that morning. And I had nothing to do with her relationship with Jesus. That all happened prior to my “meeting” her. But now I knew that a lady whom I knew nothing else about was about to spend eternity with Jesus! On that day, the Holy Spirit graciously blessed me with that knowledge. Showing me that when we are faithful in word, deed, and prayer, God is ready to bless us. All glory, honor, and praise to Him!