About a month ago I visited a member of our congregation who’d been diagnosed with cancer. At first it didn’t look like anyone was in, so I tapped on the door very quietly. I knew the family as I’d conducted Carol’s daughters wedding a few years ago. Carol enjoyed the wedding service so much that she had started to attend church. Carol’s husband answered the door and recognised me as the vicar from the wedding. He checked with his wife to see if she was okay for a visitor as she was lying down resting after her chemotherapy session. I heard a squeal of excitement as her husband beckoned me in. I walked into the sitting room to see Carol lying on the sofa with a blanket around her. As soon as she clapped eyes on me she squealed even more and pulled me down to where she was lying for a hug. Her husband made us a cup tea and we all laughed chatted for an hour or so.
I reflected on the reaction my visit caused as I made my way home. It was obvious to me that my visit gave Carol a boost. I decided not to underestimate the power of a pastoral visit.
Names have been changed to protect the person’s identity.