Sam, a 71-year-old unaffiliated Jewish man, was a referral from the nurse. He was in the orthopaedics section of the hospital. After I entered the room, following brief introductions, Sam immediately requested a prayer.
“Of course Sam, I would love to say a prayer with you, but please tell me what brought you into the hospital.”
Sam explained that for several years he had back issues. Over the past few months, the pain slowly escalated. “This past June, my wife and I decided to downsize and move,” he explained. “We were lucky enough to sell our very large home immediately and purchase a smaller house. I’m not sure if you have ever moved, but moving is really hard. And around this time, my back was at its worst. I could barely walk. Every single step I took was agony. Every single step was painful. I could barely get out of bed. I was unable to help my wife pack up. She packed our home and did the move all alone.
“I felt completely useless and was becoming depressed. The pain was indescribable. I longed so badly to do the regular household everyday chores that you do—even taking out the garbage!
“A friend connected us with Dr. H., a neurosurgeon. After much thought, my wife and I decided that I should proceed with the recommended surgery.
“The day of the surgery was frightening. I was terrified I wouldn’t wake up. Scared of being in more pain than I was already. I could not share any of this with my wife, because I knew she was just as nervous as I was.”
He paused.
“I went forward with the surgery. Chaplain Debby, I do not have any pain now.
“I never went to synagogue or was one who ever spoke about God. But I know for sure that someone was looking out for me.”
Tears slowly dripped out of his eyes.
Silence for several seconds.
“These tears are not from physical pain as everyone is so accustomed to seeing from me. Finally now, I can shed tears from feeling extremely grateful.”
After several more minutes of Sam speaking, I felt that the prayer that he initially requested would now be appropriate.
After first reciting a Psalm of gratitude with Sam, I then composed my own prayer, asking God to continue to help Sam in his recovery of mind, body and spirit. Figuring I might add in a bit of humor, I concluded with, “And may you be able to take out many more garbages in your new home!”
And right at that exact moment, a doctor entered the room, looking extremely confused, as he just heard the last statement of my prayer!
“And you are?” he asked with a confused look.
“I’m Debby Pfeiffer, the Jewish chaplain,” I answered. “And you are?”
“I’m the neurosurgeon, Dr. H.,” he smiled.
“Let me explain what you just heard,” I said with a chuckle.
Upon permission from Sam, I gave Dr. H. a brief account of our discussion. And all three of us were in agreement:
The things that one person takes for granted, someone else is praying for.
P.S. Dr. H. and I both gave Sam our phone numbers to come to our homes—at least someone might be excited to take out the garbage!;)
By Debby Pfeiffer
Debby Pfeiffer is a board-certified chaplain working at Morristown Medical Center through its affiliation with the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ. She resides in Bergenfield, New Jersey with her husband and children. She can be reached at [email protected].
