As I stood at the hospital chaplaincy welcome table full of gifts, a woman approached me.
‘What’s all this about?’
‘We are here to welcome people of all faiths, although I’m a Christian. We know that hospital is a place of stress whether visiting a clinic or member of staff. We’re here to encourage, make the day better or pray with people if requested. Everything here has been donated and we want to give to you freely.’ I explained carefully, to which she replied,
‘But what’s in it for you?’
I tried to explain the thought of it being better to give than receive. I needed no reward. Sadly, she thought everything had a price and had to be paid for. She would find it hard to expect the gift of salvation!