Divine Timing

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Guest Post by Jim Jackson

Tuesday afternoon, August 10th, 2021: The Kaiser hospice bereavement coordinator brought me a new list with the names of people, the bereaved, who had lost a loved one six months ago while on Kaiser hospice. My volunteer job is to phone them, sort of interview them, and determine if any would need and be interested in help from our excellent bereavement counselors. I’ve learned that divine timing plays a role in this.

 The next morning, Wednesday, I began to make my calls. The first person did not answer, so I left contact information on their voicemail.

The next call was to a widow, age 57, who is about 20 years younger than my usual client. She was struggling some, but was not wanting any counseling at that time. But what really stood out to me was that she was complaining of having dreams of her deceased husband. I explained to her, “What ‘an honor’ you have. He’s trying to communicate with you!”

She said she had mistakenly viewed the topsy—turvy content of the dreams as a negative towards her. I assured her that was not so, it was only the censor of her subconscious mind protecting her from the shock it would be to her of seeing and hearing him directly. 

I suggested she have pen and paper—better yet, a journal—ready at bedside. “When you wake up after a dream, immediately get up and write the dream down. Do not wait until morning, as you will have forgotten it all.” She said she had already noticed that. I told her as she did this, she will begin to remember more, recognize what is said and happens more—and see, at some point, certain symbols the censor is then letting through, and she will understand the dreams more and more.  I told her that the dreams she is having are a “Divine gift” to her. Writing them down in a journal will be a blessing to her now, but they will mean 10 times more in a year, and 25 times more valuable in 5 or 10 years. 

She thanked me for calling and checking on her and for the information and promised she would begin that night, in a whole new brighter attitude and matter.

It is times like this experience that make it even better than a “most wonderful job.”

On the third call, the widow seemed very needful of counseling, but wanted to wait a week and would call the bereavement counselor herself. I gave her the phone number and wished her well. 

My fourth call was one of surprise and emotion and was unprecedented for me. Again, I was calling a widow, whose husband had passed away six months ago after a long difficult illness.

When I asked her how she had been doing since his passing, she answered— and I could tell in tears—that his death was expected, but “not her son’s!” He had been killed, along with his cousin, in a Northeast Portland shooting just the night before!

 I had never had any situation on a call like this before—but I just felt guided to keep my big mouth shut for a while and let her talk all and about anything she wanted to. I had no desire to and did not need to ask any questions – except, when would be the most convenient time for a counselor to phone you? 

As I was about to say goodbye, she asked me, “How did you know to call me right now?” I paused, not that I didn’t have an answer, but should I really say it?

“I think your name and number were “divinely” placed as number four on my call list,” I responded.

She too, paused, then said, “You are probably right. Thank you so much for calling me.”

That dynamic 1/2 hour call was, again, the juice, why I love this job. It’s a time when my mind is on pause, and my whole being is floating along in a river of omniscient Spirit. 

Much love, Jim

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Jim Jackson enjoys reading, writing, and sharing his experiences with those in his community and friends. He still has an interest in tennis, he says.