Chaplain: “What are you praying for? Mrs. G?”
Mrs. G: “I’m praying for a miracle - for God to cure me if that be His will. But if not, I’m praying that God will take me home. I want to see my mother again and my brother John. You know I saw them a few days ago - just as plain as day reaching out to me.”
Chaplain: “How was that for you to see them?”
Mrs. G: “I was filled with joy and my heart was overflowing.”
Chaplain: “Sounds like a time of goodness and mercy as described in the 23rd Psalm. You know I’ve heard others tell me of seeing loved ones who have passed on before, and they’ve found it very comforting - a reassurance that going home to be with God and those loved ones will be joyous and loving.”
Mrs. G: “Yes, I do feel reassured. I don’t want to leave my children, but I do want to reunited with my mother and brother - and I want to see Jesus.”
Hope can change during the course of an illness. At early stage, the patient may hope for a cure. Later when a cure becomes unlikely the patient may hope for time to finish important goals, make peace with loved ones or with God, and experience a peaceful death.