chaplain – 300 words a day

Pick one thing. Do it well.

“I’m completely stuck,” I said. “When you say ‘completely’,” Tim said, “What do you mean? That you sit in one place, permanently unmoving?” I wanted to nod, but I understood the irony of having the capacity to walk into Lystra Tea Company and to order a medium bold and to have the money to pay […]

by Jon Swanson

A moment of peace.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40. A few months ago, I met a family in ER. The family had been in an accident that could have been tragic, but wasn’t. However, […]

by Jon Swanson

A rock and a hard place

Eddie worked at a hospital. He was a chaplain. He could have worked anywhere, he could have done anything, he could have been anyone that spends working hours caring for the hearts of others, walking with the burdens of others. Pastors, counselors, teachers, bus drivers. The parents who are up in the middle of the […]

by Jon Swanson

A small prayer in a big Monday.

I spend Sunday at the hospital, as I do most Sundays. I visit a room after a patient has died. She received remarkable care but her body was done working.During the time between her arrival, which I saw, and her death, our staff worked night and day to provide respect and care and answers. I […]

by Jon Swanson

Stop for some tea with me.

Friends are saying goodby to parents and spouses and siblings and cousins and nieces. Friends are wondering how interviews are going to turn out, how to take the next turn. Friends are recovering from surgeries. Friends are wondering about the new guy. Friends are wondering how much of the pain in the world they can […]