Chaplain Kevin writes:

As a crisis Chaplain, I share time and space with people whom are in the midst of a crisis. Many times, the crisis is the unexpected loss of a loved one. Seriously, what do you tell a mother or a father who just lost their teenager to murder, suicide, an accident, or illness? What do you tell a teenager who just lost a parent or both parents to one of the same? Truth is, that I have no words that can fix, solve or even comfort anyone in such a situation. On my own, I have nothing to offer anyone that can be of any lasting help or hope.

The big HOWEVER is: our heavenly Father has the words. Our heavenly Father has comfort. Our heavenly Father has hope. Our heavenly Father has encouragement. Our heavenly Father has the love that surpasses all understanding or comprehension. Our heavenly Father has exactly what we need when we need it. It is my job as a Chaplain to bring our heavenly Father on scene.  Do I preach? Do I evangelize? Do I simply read from the Bible? Do I deliver platitudes or manufacture words of my own that seem comforting? NO!!!!!

As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I know that wherever I go I have God’s Holy Spirit actively living in me. In fact, he goes before me. When I arrive on scene of someone in crisis, I know that it is not me that is bringing the comfort, or the care. It is the Love of our heavenly Father that is on scene. As a trained and experienced Chaplain, I have been on many scenes and in many homes where I nearly said nothing other than “I am just so sorry for your loss”. I have stayed and held them when necessary and comforted them merely with my presence.

What is remarkable is that it seems to always be those brokenhearted people, that come back to me later and tell me how big of an impact I was to them at the time of the crisis. It is only then that I am invited in as a trusted person / Chaplain that they feel they can open up to and seek guidance. It is only then that I can share that it was God’s hand and arms that were upon them that night and not mine. It is then that they invite me to share with them the “Love of the Father”.

February often is called the “Love” month as Valentines Day is in the middle of the month. While the “world” celebrates what it understands as “Love” as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, may we all celebrate the “Love of the Father”. This kind of Love “surpasses all comprehension” (Ephesians 3:19). It is the only Love that is true, reliable, and consistent. We need only to look at the scars on the hands and feet of Jesus that say’ this is how much I love you”. May we all take this love into the “world”. Share it this month and every month.

Blessings, Chaplain Kevin “Ray” Ellstrom

“to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God…” ~ Ephesians 3:19 NKJV