On a Saturday evening at around 8:00 pm one of our Chaplains received a call from the manager of a Phillips property partnered with CCA. This call was one filled with sadness as the manager explained that an employee had attempted suicide and was hospitalized. Without hesitating our Chaplain was at the hospital offering his support to the family, general manager, and employees who were there anxiously waiting for news.
After two days, it was decided that the employee would be taken off life support and he passed away. In the coming days, our Chaplain was ready to offer a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, and an ear to listen. Their story is below.
Comforting Those Who Have Experienced Loss
For the next 10 days, I visited the facility almost every day. I spoke to, cried, and prayed with distraught men and women. I did my best to help them see the love of God in the middle of a very dark time. I tried to answer their hard questions and helped them see that some answers are not ours to know.
Most importantly, I reminded them that this was not their fault and that this death was not a reflection of their care for the deceased. We talked about the fact that no one knew the pain he was experiencing and we did not, and probably could not have known his intentions that night.
During this time several Christians seemed to take a deeper look at Jesus and began a more intentional walk with him. One young woman, who has always been skeptical to the gospel, accepted a prayer offered for her and the family of the deceased. While she is not yet ready to believe, she is one step closer than she has ever been before to welcoming Jesus into her life.
In this together
Our Chaplain has only been with Phillips for 29 months but in that time he has had the honor of shepherding them through a devastating hurricane, domestic disputes, and a property closing, which resulted in hundreds of families having to leave.
God has used him to bring comfort and peace in several tragic situations as well as act as a reminder to them that God knows, cares, and is close to each of them.
Our chaplains will be there
It is the goal of all our Chaplains to provide friendship, comfort, and care to the employees of the companies that partner with us and their families. No problem is too big or too small for our Chaplains. Contact us today to learn more about how invaluable a Chaplain is for your organization.
