Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Forgiveness
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Forgiveness
Sacred Stories | Forgivenes
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” – Psalm 86:5
I can still remember my first visit with him as a hospice chaplain. My patient had recently learned he was dying and had chosen hospice care.
When I first met this tall but gentle giant I inquired about his life. He recounted his experiences as an infantry soldier in Vietnam. He served two tours to Vietnam and earned two bronze stars for heroism in battle. As he shared, his gaze shifted off into the distance; I could tell something was troubling him. My patient turned to me and asked with tears beginning to well up in his eyes, “Do you think God can forgive me for what I did in Vietnam?”
I felt tears begin to form in my eyes as I shared that I was also a part-time Army Reserve chaplain and a former enlisted soldier who fought in Afghanistan several years ago. I shared my own experience of healing and forgiveness. I shared the story of king David and the passage in Psalm 86:5, “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”
After I shared, my patient looked at me and stated, “I’ve been waiting since I came home from Vietnam to hear that. It feels good to be forgiven!” Before leaving, my patient showed me his medals from Vietnam and an article in the local paper, detailing his military service. As I departed, I asked if I could render him a salute. He humbly accepted my offer. He walked a little lighter and a bit taller that day and during the next several weeks before this gentle giant and American hero died with honor and forgiveness.
Submitted by Josiah Hoagland
Questions for Reflection
Reflect on a time that someone offered you forgiveness. How did that act of compassion change your perspective?
How might you extend grace or greater understanding to yourself?
Share this Story
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share by Mail
Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage
View all episodes
By EthicsLab
5
22 ratings
Sacred Stories | Forgivenes
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” – Psalm 86:5
I can still remember my first visit with him as a hospice chaplain. My patient had recently learned he was dying and had chosen hospice care.
When I first met this tall but gentle giant I inquired about his life. He recounted his experiences as an infantry soldier in Vietnam. He served two tours to Vietnam and earned two bronze stars for heroism in battle. As he shared, his gaze shifted off into the distance; I could tell something was troubling him. My patient turned to me and asked with tears beginning to well up in his eyes, “Do you think God can forgive me for what I did in Vietnam?”
I felt tears begin to form in my eyes as I shared that I was also a part-time Army Reserve chaplain and a former enlisted soldier who fought in Afghanistan several years ago. I shared my own experience of healing and forgiveness. I shared the story of king David and the passage in Psalm 86:5, “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”
After I shared, my patient looked at me and stated, “I’ve been waiting since I came home from Vietnam to hear that. It feels good to be forgiven!” Before leaving, my patient showed me his medals from Vietnam and an article in the local paper, detailing his military service. As I departed, I asked if I could render him a salute. He humbly accepted my offer. He walked a little lighter and a bit taller that day and during the next several weeks before this gentle giant and American hero died with honor and forgiveness.
Submitted by Josiah Hoagland
Questions for Reflection
Reflect on a time that someone offered you forgiveness. How did that act of compassion change your perspective?
How might you extend grace or greater understanding to yourself?
Share this Story
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share by Mail
Listen to more Sacred Stories
The Gift of Citizenship/by adminOur Famous Patient/by adminFulfilling a Last Request/by adminThe Power of Being Present/by adminA Celebrated Farewell/by adminGod’s Perfect Timing/by adminGod’s Presence in Grief/by adminCompassion in Action/by adminThe Door is Open/by adminEncourage One Another/by adminRestoring the Soul/by adminSacred Stories, Sacred Ground/by adminOur Christmas Gift/by adminMessages Placed in My Path/by adminBeyond Words/by adminCare In the Time of COVID-19/by adminPrayer of Surrender at the End of Life/by adminWisdom from a Child/by adminGod Has This in Control/by adminReceiving Guests With Compassion and Kindness/by adminCommonSpirit Health’s Ever-present Values/by adminThe Gift of Time in the Giving Garden/by adminFair, with Occasional Clouds/by adminAlways a Reason/by adminIt Only Takes a Second/by adminA Thank You Note/by adminWith the Arms of Christ/by adminLadybug’s Christmas Tree/by adminJesus Lit Up Our World/by adminLike a Grain of Wheat/by adminSanta Finally Comes to Our House/by adminWhenever it Snows, the Memory of Him Comes to Me/by adminMany Gifts, Same Spirit/by adminMy Poignant Story/by adminLife and Death/by adminCan You Hear Me in the Noise?/by adminBagpipes/by adminTo Truly See/by adminMassaging Souls/by adminMargaret Was Not Alone/by adminThe “Push” for My Career/by adminA Grandmother’s Kiss/by adminUncle Jim/by adminWhat Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?/by adminI Have Seen the Face of God/by adminIncarcerated/by adminIce Cream: Good for the Soul/by adminA Cup of Cold Water/by adminSpirits Touching/by adminI Thought You Might Need a Hug/by adminFamily, Friends, and Faith/by adminJust Hands/by adminOur Central American Patient/by adminBrief Light/by adminA Childs Generosity/by adminEverything Is for a Reason/by adminThe Colonel/by adminThe Goodbye Song/by adminThe True Meaning of Christmas/by adminDo You Remember Me?/by adminLights for Timothy/by adminA New Friend/by adminStringed Release/by adminPrayer Shawl/by adminForgiveness/by adminLoad more
About Sacred Stories
As CommonSpirit Health, we make the healing presence of God known in our world by improving the health of
the people we serve, especially those who are vulnerable, while we advance social justice for all.
Sacred Stories convey ways our mission is being lived out by the gifted people in our ministry. We invite you to
use these stories for inspiration, as a meeting reflection, or to encourage discussion with your team.
Return to the Sacred Stories Homepage