Five years ago Ben took the position of Chaplain at Northwest Regional Hospital. He preaches every Sunday morning there. It's an extremely "unglorified" ministry. Sometimes the patients are coherent, sometimes not. But Ben has excelled at this ministry. I can count on one hand the times he's missed. All the patients LOVE him. He knows every one of them by name. We have grown to love them as well. I have always enjoyed going with him. Since Chloe came along though, we thought it really important for her to be in Sunday School. I miss him on Sunday's mornings now, I miss having that "corporate" worship time with him. I know though, this ministry is important to him.
We had Hannah and Lauren this past Sunday. It's unusual because we typically don't have them on Sundays. They really didn't want to go to our church because they don't know anyone. They are both pretty shy around new people. We gave them the option of going to chapel with their daddy. They decided they wanted to do that, so Chloe and I decided we should go too. Ben and I were really glad they chose to go with him. I think it's important for them to see something other than all the "pretty" people at your typical church. I want them to know their daddy has done and is doing a ministry that has NO recognition. It's a position that people are not fighting to get. As a matter of fact, most people would not want to do it. You have to shake hands with people who might not be so clean. You are usually interrupted during the sermon. As one gentleman once told Ben, "You have to pray with one eye open". Alot of these patients are forgotten about by society. We really want all of our girls to have a heart for people, regardless of what race, age or socioeconomic status.
Lauren and Chloe ended up singing Amazing Grace, Hannah read scripture. They had a wonderful time. It was a great day.....
"But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:13-14
"Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40
I'll probably be in trouble when Ben reads this, he hates it when I draw attention to him....but oh well.... :D
