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Question for You All - see msg

Posted: Oct 1st, 2019 - 3:53 pm

Hi all,

I do volunteer hospice visits to people in nursing homes and such. I have one person right now who is struggling. She is DEEPLY religious. (I am not, but do believe in God.)

I know that deeply religious people think that God controls everything that happens in their life, and she is one of them. She doesn't understand why God didn't just "take her" before she got moved into a higher level of care and cramped quarters in a facility. She had to give up almost all of her possessions, including her artwork which she created. She is confined to a bed. She is trying to accept this, but then asks me why God didn't just take her. She says she envisioned just going "up there" [heaven], as opposed to "down there" in her cramped "hole" as she puts it. FYI: She is an artist and has found a way to adjust to doing her art from her bed.

I don't know what to say. I do not hold the belief that He controls absolutely everything in our lives, so I just say things like, "well, maybe He wants you to spread joy with your artwork." I feel like I'm being a hypocrite, because I simply don't believe that He "put her there." She is blaming everything on Him. She is trying to not use the word "angry" at Him, but I know that's where she goes with it.

I suggested to my supervisors that she might benefit from a chaplain visit, but other than that, I don't know how to handle her depression about Him keeping her on this earth when she wants to just "go." She does have a social worker, but their role is to make sure she is comfortable and all her needs are taken care of. They are not spiritual advisors, nor am I.

PLEASE, I am not looking for a theological discussion on my beliefs, and I'm not looking for passages from the Bible. I am just looking for words that will help her. The things I am saying to her feel like I'm confirming that I think He did this to her. I do not.

Any wise suggestions on how I can handle this would be appreciated.

Thank you!

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Question for You All - see msg (Views: 798, 2019-10-01, 3:53 pm)
- Hope this helps - Lori (Views: 590, 2019-10-01, 4:25 pm)
  - From OP - Thank you so much! (Views: 461, 2019-10-01, 5:27 pm)
- Sometimes it's just enough to be there and listen. - MI MT (Views: 568, 2019-10-01, 8:27 pm)
- Could - it be (Views: 517, 2019-10-01, 9:55 pm)
- Thank you so much! - From OP (Views: 449, 2019-10-02, 7:48 am)
- Maybe - sm (Views: 354, 2019-10-04, 6:40 pm)
  - Thank you - From OP (Views: 370, 2019-10-05, 8:49 am)
- Just passing through - but a very thought-provoking (Views: 370, 2019-10-04, 8:54 pm)
  - Thank you - From OP (Views: 373, 2019-10-05, 9:08 am)
- Just an idea - Redwryter (Views: 398, 2019-10-09, 10:23 pm)
  - From OP - see msg (Views: 355, 2019-10-10, 8:26 am)
    - A true artist - Redwryter (Views: 384, 2019-10-10, 11:26 am)
      - Thank You So Much - see msg (Views: 344, 2019-10-11, 8:29 am)
        She is not the only - one (Views: 300, 2019-11-11, 8:59 am)
        From OP - see message (Views: 375, 2019-11-19, 5:18 pm)