Making the visit

I did a Hospital visitation the other day. I don't do them as much as I should but the experience left me feeling grateful and thankful for life and health and at the same time grateful that I had the opportunity to share and to love on someone. Let me give you some tips on visiting the sick.  First, always knock and ask if it is okay to enter  because their personal space is already been intruded to a great deal already. And secondly to sanitize our hands both for the protection of the patient and for yourself and then to go on and just be personable and loving to the person. I did bring a magazine and a Large print crossword puzzle and a get well card.  No food gum or candy if youdont know their restrictions.   Of course as a minister be ready with an appropriate scripture.  Ask if its okay to read a small passage of the word of God to them which they can meditate upon.  Then  ask them what to pray for and if they Like a Prayer.

We can never underestimate the effect that we will have when we go in as ministers to even read the word because they have been possibly missing church for a span of time. I did also bring them a church bulletin which kept abreast of what was going on with the church. But in all I must say that just loving on someone was a blessing.  They power of a gentle touch can also bring comfort.  I know when we go into situations where someone is sick or when we go to a hospital that's not the most amenable of circumstances. Often times were dealing with a person in a hospice situation but we all must remember that for some it maybe they're only contact with God. Maybe they're only connection with the transcendent. So never underestimate the effect you can have all the blessings that you can be to someone when we make a little extra effort to go and do the visitation.