An Unexpected Gift of Gratitude

An inspiring story by Chaplain Charleen Burghardt

 As a chaplain, I never know what situation I will face when I enter a room, much like how police officers make cold calls. Chaplains make their rounds to visit patients armed only with basic details like age, gender, and name. Their primary goal is to offer emotional and spiritual assistance, nurturing the patients’ faith and providing encouragement throughout their hospital stay.

Chaplains give emotional and spiritual support

When I met Abigail Kramer she sat stooped in a chair in the corner, clothed in a faded, thin hospital gown. Even though this woman in her seventies greeted me with a smile, her frail frame and pale face contradicted her cheer. Despite her weak voice, she readily engaged in conversation, wanting me to sit down.

I introduced myself as a chaplain. “Ms. Kramer, tell me what is going on?”

Looking intently at me with a grave countenance. “Panic gripped me when I gasped for air and couldn’t breathe. I was so frightened! In the Emergency Room, the doctors and nurses worked on me. I remember something the doctor said about a tube down my throat to help me breathe. That is all I remember.”

She pushed a stray gray hair from her face. ” As the sedation wore off, I noticed a dreadful and painful sensation in my throat. Was I alive? Then I heard beep, beep, beep. My thoughts were foggy, but I knew I was alive.”

I was alive

“Wow! What a horrific experience!” I sat captivated by her story.

“I didn’t know if I would pull through the time in the ICU. It scared me to be so close to death!” Ms. Kramer shifted in her chair, taking a long moment to continue. “That was five days ago.”

I nodded. “I’m so glad you’re better. Look, you are even sitting up!”

“Yesterday, they transferred me to a regular room.” She caught her breath before she went on. “This shouldn’t have happened. A few months ago, I moved in with my sister to help her with her cancer recovery. I am the strong one, I assumed. But then this happened to me. I couldn’t breathe, so I was placed on a ventilator and went to ICU.” Pausing again, I could feel the weight of her sorrow. “Now, I am the one who needs a caregiver!”

Observing her composed demeanor and yet recognizing the profound impact of the trauma on her, I addressed the graceful woman before me, remarking, “What an unexpected and jolting experience!”

“I almost died!” She said with a somber undertone in her voice.

Ms. Kramer engaged in a verbal exploration of her emotions, delving into a spectrum that encompassed fear, grief, a sense of guilt for being unable to care for her sister, and a deep appreciation for the preservation of her own life. 

Surprisingly, she found meaning in the midst of the ordeal. “No one appreciates breathing until one can’t breathe, “she expressed, her voice wavering, yet her countenance exuding a serene tranquility.

No one appreciates breathing until one can’t breathe

“Life looks different now. I’m indebted to God for being alive. I’m more keenly aware of the good things in life, and I’m grateful,” she exclaimed with a sparkle in her light blue eyes.

I’m grateful for being alive

She planned to go to a rehabilitation center to learn to walk again and regain strength. Then, she planned to live with her sister.

How could Ms. Kramer be so optimistic about this arduous recovery ahead? Her determination now could be heard in her voice and seen on her face.

“I am going to begin a grateful journal. I will write all the things I’m thankful to God for,” she boldly announced. 

Gratitude Journal

 From what she said, I understood her gratitude gave renewed hope and strength to face the future.

“Gratitude Journal, Wow! What a great idea!” I listened as she put the pieces of her illness together and made a new decision, both an emotional and a spiritual decision.

Unexpected Gift of Gratitude

 After praying with her, I gave her a blessing and left the room, but my thoughts of my encounter with Ms. Kramer continued. Thoughts of her making such a significant change by starting a Gratitude Journal zipped through my head.

Hospital rooms are sacred places, and God is close. While life-changing events occur in the hospital setting all the time, people-changing events happen, too. Both happened to Ms. Kramer.

Sacred Places Life-changing

People-changing

Honored and humbled when Mrs. Kramer shared a piece of her life, I witnessed God’s grace working in her to resolved to recover and to be grateful. She gave me an unexpected gift that changed me. I left the visit thinking I gained more than I gave.

The idea of a Gratitude Journal moved from my mind to my heart like an airplane in flight landing on the runway. I started a Gratitude Journal that day because of the God Moment with Ms. Abigail Kramer. I gained more than I gave by seeing the significance of gratitude, an unexpected gift.

Significance of Gratitude

My encounter with this warm, kindhearted woman happened shortly before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gratitude was one attitude that enabled me to get through the uncharted virus. Even now, years later, I write daily in my gratitude journal, I list tangible gifts as a loving family but also, I list intangible gifts, such as peace, forgiveness, joy and hope along with gratitude for a faithful God.

I don’t have scientific proof, just anecdotal results of how I changed as I practice the daily habit of writings five things for which I am grateful for. Over time, my morning mood has improved significantly, my attitude is more positive. 

Try it.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I would love to hear your comments on how gratitude changed you. Leave a comment. Please share this post to encourage someone.

Grace Offers Hope,

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