Why me? Why now? Those questioned have been asked by so many for so long. No one expects a crisis to materialize and when they do, knowing how to deal isn’t exactly second nature. Here are a few scenarios in which people may be forced to come to terms with an unpleasant situation:
Scenario one:
“I remember the moment like it was yesterday. It was 2 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon when my whole world came to a halt. The doctor’s office was cool and quiet and the window shades were closed to block some of the afternoon sunlight.
The room I was in was silent. An icy shiver went through my whole body but, at the same time, I was sweating so badly my clothes were soaked. The clock on the wall stood still as my mind raced with 100 thoughts, but I couldn’t focus on a single one.
I was very busy at my company. My son had a baseball game that night. My to-do list was a block long. But none of that mattered anymore.
The pain in my back that I thought was a pulled muscle was not a pulled muscle after all. The EKG had gone horribly wrong. A cardio cath test followed and the doctor told me I had an almost total blockage in a major artery. I felt like I had been hit with a cold, steel rod. There were not many options. The doctor said he hoped to get me into surgery in time.
I kept coming back to the same question, ‘Why me, why now?’”
Scenario two:
“‘Mrs Smith’ had a nagging pain in her right side. She had just had her annual check up with her doctor, so she chalked the pain up to aging and too much yard work. It became worse and she went back to the doctor.
After seeing the doctor, tests determined that her ‘pain’ was cancer. The medical staff ran scans and more tests and found growths and internal organs already affected. Immediate surgery was needed.
Mrs. Smith had never been sick before. She was always healthy and active and her family relied on her so much.
Her head swirled with thoughts and questions: ‘What will happen to me and my family?’ ‘Why me?’ ‘Why now?’”
Scenario three:
“‘Ned Williams’ had been retired for many years. He had been alone for five years, since his beloved wife had been called home by the Lord.
Ned was a simple man. He worked for many years at the same trade until he had to retire. He lived in the same town and in the same house since he was a small boy. He didn’t have a lot, but managed to get by on his small retirement fund.
His children lived far away and in all parts of the country. For many reasons — the economy, having their own family needs and even an estranged daughter he had not spoken to in many years — Ned was alone.
He had fallen several times, sustained injuries and a broken hip. His neighbors were good people; they brought him groceries and came by occasionally to check on him, but they had their own lives to live and troubles of their own. Times were hard for them, too.
Ned was confined now. He felt so alone. He wanted so much to see his children and grandchildren. He felt more and more depressed each day. His innermost fears of being alone plagued him and filled his mind every day. At times he even thought he’d be better off if he wasn’t ‘around’ anymore.
He kept asking himself, ‘What can I do?’ ‘Why me?’ ‘Why now?’”
Many people in our community ask themselves these same questions every day. There are people trying to cope with different crises, some small and some enormous. There are so many issues — unexpected medical news, life-changing circumstances, depression, loneliness, job loss, terminal illness, military separation, disability, abuse, family relationships, grief and anger management, incarceration, pregnancy and child birth, relocation, struggles with faith, hospice, loved ones being hospitalized or institutionalized and so many more.
Stephen Ministers can help and make a difference. The men and women of the Stephen team at First Baptist Church in Hinesville are equipped with great faith and training. They have served as caregivers to dozens of people in their communities and they’re there for you.
If you or someone you know could use the help of Stephen minister, call John at 320-7840 for a confidential appointment.
Sessions with Stephen ministers are one-on-one, totally confidential and gender-sensitive. The counselors are compassionate, caring and faith-driven. To learn more about the global Stephen Program, go to www.stephenministries.org.
Scenario one:
“I remember the moment like it was yesterday. It was 2 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon when my whole world came to a halt. The doctor’s office was cool and quiet and the window shades were closed to block some of the afternoon sunlight.
The room I was in was silent. An icy shiver went through my whole body but, at the same time, I was sweating so badly my clothes were soaked. The clock on the wall stood still as my mind raced with 100 thoughts, but I couldn’t focus on a single one.
I was very busy at my company. My son had a baseball game that night. My to-do list was a block long. But none of that mattered anymore.
The pain in my back that I thought was a pulled muscle was not a pulled muscle after all. The EKG had gone horribly wrong. A cardio cath test followed and the doctor told me I had an almost total blockage in a major artery. I felt like I had been hit with a cold, steel rod. There were not many options. The doctor said he hoped to get me into surgery in time.
I kept coming back to the same question, ‘Why me, why now?’”
Scenario two:
“‘Mrs Smith’ had a nagging pain in her right side. She had just had her annual check up with her doctor, so she chalked the pain up to aging and too much yard work. It became worse and she went back to the doctor.
After seeing the doctor, tests determined that her ‘pain’ was cancer. The medical staff ran scans and more tests and found growths and internal organs already affected. Immediate surgery was needed.
Mrs. Smith had never been sick before. She was always healthy and active and her family relied on her so much.
Her head swirled with thoughts and questions: ‘What will happen to me and my family?’ ‘Why me?’ ‘Why now?’”
Scenario three:
“‘Ned Williams’ had been retired for many years. He had been alone for five years, since his beloved wife had been called home by the Lord.
Ned was a simple man. He worked for many years at the same trade until he had to retire. He lived in the same town and in the same house since he was a small boy. He didn’t have a lot, but managed to get by on his small retirement fund.
His children lived far away and in all parts of the country. For many reasons — the economy, having their own family needs and even an estranged daughter he had not spoken to in many years — Ned was alone.
He had fallen several times, sustained injuries and a broken hip. His neighbors were good people; they brought him groceries and came by occasionally to check on him, but they had their own lives to live and troubles of their own. Times were hard for them, too.
Ned was confined now. He felt so alone. He wanted so much to see his children and grandchildren. He felt more and more depressed each day. His innermost fears of being alone plagued him and filled his mind every day. At times he even thought he’d be better off if he wasn’t ‘around’ anymore.
He kept asking himself, ‘What can I do?’ ‘Why me?’ ‘Why now?’”
Many people in our community ask themselves these same questions every day. There are people trying to cope with different crises, some small and some enormous. There are so many issues — unexpected medical news, life-changing circumstances, depression, loneliness, job loss, terminal illness, military separation, disability, abuse, family relationships, grief and anger management, incarceration, pregnancy and child birth, relocation, struggles with faith, hospice, loved ones being hospitalized or institutionalized and so many more.
Stephen Ministers can help and make a difference. The men and women of the Stephen team at First Baptist Church in Hinesville are equipped with great faith and training. They have served as caregivers to dozens of people in their communities and they’re there for you.
If you or someone you know could use the help of Stephen minister, call John at 320-7840 for a confidential appointment.
Sessions with Stephen ministers are one-on-one, totally confidential and gender-sensitive. The counselors are compassionate, caring and faith-driven. To learn more about the global Stephen Program, go to www.stephenministries.org.