Jocelyn (Jocy) is an Adventist Health System chaplain, a woman in love with her job and with the people she serves. And that's despite the odd hours, the intense emotional roller coaster, and the high demands for her full attention at all times.

Like all hospital chaplains, Jocy lives on the edge of the unexpected, knowing that an adventure in extreme grace awaits behind every door.

Jocy opened the door to Room 212 that Friday night, just as she opens the door of every hospital room. First: meet with the nurse to learn as much as possible about the person you will be visiting. Second: pause outside the room and pray for God to guide your visit.

Room 212 is on an oncology unit where all of the patients have cancer, and where many are learning to live with the word "terminal."

Three women looked up when Jocy opened the door—two from beside the bed, and one who was lying on the edge of the mattress with one arm hooked up over the railing. All had been talking excitedly.

"You're so happy!"

"Oh, yes," the woman in the bed answered Jocy. "This has been a very good day!"

"Good day" and cancer deemed a bit dissonant, so Jocy came over to the bed, took the patient's hand, and asked, "How has today been special for you?"

"I was really sick at home," the patient began, "so I called my friends and asked them to bring me to the Emergency Room. When we arrived, there was a nurse—a beautiful young Christian nurse—who saw my need and treated all three of us as if we had been sent straight from God's throne room. She cared for me. She told me what was happening. She watched to be sure everything was okay. And when I hurt the most, she came over and prayed for me."

"Her prayer was so beautiful," one of the other women interjected, "that I cried!"

"And now we're here in this room praising God for that nurse, for life, and for this wonderful place. Would you like to join us? We were about to sing Mama's favorite hymn."

Jocy choked back her tears, and joined an impromptu oncology choir for an, "every verse and many choruses," version of "There Shall Be Showers of Blessing."

Dick Duerksen is the "storyteller" for Maranatha Volunteers International. Readers may contact Dick at dduerksen@maranatha.org.