I feel like I've walked about 10 miles today across the hospital site (wishful thinking for my step goals- but my step counting watch packed it in within the first week of working here, so I will never know).

This week has been one of accompanying so many in their own walk through life. We are all walking alongside each other really, with our lives crossing certain paths. I believe we are sent certain people at different times in our lives to walk with us. Perhaps only a brief encounter, a chapter of our life or maybe for the long term. But through the valley of life we each must walk - with some going ahead of us, others behind. We share this journey with others, amongst nature, on a beautiful planet.

One who never stops walking alongside us is Jesus. The one who knows our pain and suffering. The one who is 100% God and 100% man. Jesus laughed, he cried, he suffered immeasurable pain. He can relate to our walk. The Bible says clearly we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

It tells us - Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Isaiah 30:21. But what is the way? The one of light, of hope, of love, of trust, of meaning and purpose perhaps.

Many take themselves off on pilgrimages to search for something, to perhaps find and walk with God. Speaking to one patient today we noted the importance of simplicity, we are bombarded with information and options in this world. Perhaps we sometimes need time and space to cut things down, to focus on what we feel. And whatever we feel, know that that is enough. Sometimes I think we search and search looking for more and more evidence of God and direction, but sometimes, maybe we need to ask, how much more evidence do we need to have faith in something? Sometimes we need to just be still, and know. To not overcomplicate things and just feel.

This walk of life is one of perseverance - one patient spoke of their time walking the South Downs Way, through snow, hail, mist and sunshine. How they kept going despite these changing conditions. This is very much like our journey through life, the good and the bad, the struggles and the joy and hope of what awaits us at the end.

There are never enough or the right words to describe Hospital Chaplaincy.

It is a vocation dependent on and relying on the guidance of God through the Holy Spirit. The one who is ever present and surrounding us.

This week I've walked alongside patients awaiting open heart surgery - bringing them hope through prayers, a listening ear and communion.

I've walked alongside a patient and their partner who know their life pilgrimage is almost at an end - giving them hope through focussing on love and light - to remembering a moment through shared heart pebbles.

Another patient walking to the end was unsure of their faith, but requested to listen to Amazing Grace and repeated the words “I once was lost and now am found”...

I've walked alongside staff taking a break outside a ward - each of who wanted to receive a Good News Bible. I've been given the right words to say to a room full of relatives, staff and patients when met with meaningful questions about the patient's faith and struggles.

I've walked alongside someone who is in a desperate life situation - who is walking through some of the pain written in the Book of Job, but just wanted a listening ear.

I've walked into wards for the elderly, those with dementia, those suffering with neurological issues. Wards where people are recovering from open heart surgery, wards where people are awaiting life changing operations. Walked the corridors with those carrying their new-born babies home.

I walked alongside three patients today, all who may have been taking their final bedside Holy Communion. I am just a vessel for God to work through, to bring them comfort, love and hope. You can see God working through their silent tears, their joy in receiving and the rest that reflects in their face when they have received Communion. Perhaps an awareness of love and hope.

One of these was a spiritual Holy Communion, where the patient communicated via writing on a tablet - but still managed to say some of the Lord's prayer. There is always a way.

Part of being a Chaplain is having that intuition, of reading people, knowing what they really need in that moment in time. Of putting them first, putting yourself to one side and trusting and allowing God to direct.

One of these patients said that I must bring great comfort to many people. To me, that's exactly what it's all about. Comforting those of all faiths and none. Because everyone deserves to know how loved they are as they walk through life. That's how I see The Trinity - as an all-encompassing love, being surrounded on all sides, since the beginning of time, at our beginning until the end.

And what is the end? I believe it's our beginning, of a pilgrimage of immeasurable love and happiness, something we can feel in glimmers in everyday life.

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.