By Paul Riddle, Director of Spiritual Care – Houston
James has suffered for as long as I’ve known him. He has been in and out of one of the TMC hospitals on my “beat” for at least five years, and I’ve visited him many times. A chronic disorder of a major organ has caused him much pain and discomfort, and has resulted in frequent hospitalizations, sometimes lasting a few days, sometimes lasting a few weeks. He has been on the list for a transplant for long time, but the scarcity of organs and other medical issues he’s dealing with have resulted in a very long wait.
I’ve observed James closely over the course of many hospitalizations, and I’ve noticed two things that cause me to have great respect for him: Despite being frequently ill and in great pain, I have never seen him complain or indulge in self-pity, and I have never seen him be unkind to anyone. No matter how badly he may feel, he greets each person who enters his room as though he were welcoming them into his home, often calling them by name. When asked how he’s feeling, he often acknowledges his pain and suffering, but he does not dwell on that; instead, he wants to know how the visitor is doing, what’s up with the visitor’s kids, how the visitor’s holidays went. James’s room is a place of warmth and welcome for family, visitors, his nurses, his doctors, the folks who deliver his meals, the folks who clean his room, and me.
It’s sometimes said that adversity develops character. Perhaps, but I’m more inclined to believe that adversity reveals character and refines it. In James’s case, his suffering revealed a character of kindness and hospitality, a character that over times has been refined into a spirit that, at least to me, reflects the spirit of Christ.
Not too long ago, James finally got his transplant. I’m happy to report that the transplant went well, and the healing and recovery process is going smoothly. My prayer for James is that he will enjoy many years of better health and a better quality of life than he has known. I am grateful to have been touched by his generous spirit, a spirit refined by the fire of adversity.
NOTE: Names and certain details have been changed to protect patient privacy.