The Miracle Files

Episode: Hospice Chaplain, Don Mulford, on End-of-Life Miracles
Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Radio America (Holly & Emily)
Guest: Don Mulford, Hospice Chaplain, Author, Cancer Survivor

Episode Overview

This special episode of The Miracle Files explores the mysterious and often awe-inspiring miracles that occur at the end of life, as experienced by hospice chaplain Don Mulford. Drawing from his years of ministry, personal battle with lymphoma, and work with hospice patients and their families, Don shares intimate stories and profound insights about the presence of God, angels, and loved ones in a person's final moments. This episode leans into the idea that miracles are not always dramatic events but can be quiet, comforting, and deeply spiritual experiences—especially during life’s closing chapter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Draws Someone to Hospice Chaplaincy

• Don’s Path: Don began chaplaincy at the suggestion of a hospice nurse in his Bible study—he views it as “just kind of a God thing.” (02:31)
• The Work’s Depth: He finds fulfillment in one-on-one ministry, helping people reflect on their spiritual journey and feel the presence of God.

  "You really feel the presence of God in it. And even if you’re with somebody who’s getting toward their last breath... you feel the presence of God. So it's very much of a spiritual experience." (02:50)

Defining Miracles: Grand vs. Everyday

• Diverse Views on Miracles: Don contrasts his belief that miracles happen constantly with those who see miracles as rare, dramatic events.

  “I’m the other side of the coin where I think miracles happen all the time... [they are] the involvement of God in our life. And that happens moment by moment.” (03:54)

• Personal Experience: When ill with cancer, Don hoped for a clear healing miracle, which eventually happened—but emphasizes that miracles include God's presence and not just physical healing.

Spiritual Phenomena at the End of Life

• Presence in the Room: Don describes feeling a “heightened sense of spiritual presence”—angels, Jesus, and even deceased loved ones seem present as someone passes.

  “You feel the presence, and you just know... there’s a lot going on. It’s not light. It’s intense and there’s a lot of activity.” (06:36)

• Stories of Visitation:
  • Patients often report seeing or speaking to unseen people or loved ones as they die.
  • Don shares that his own mother pointed to a corner, speaking to her late husband.

    “It was the sense of instead of heaven and the other life being far away... it’s more like it’s right here and you’re just stepping into it.” (07:47)

Death as Transition, Not End

• Heaven Is Close:

  “Death is a loser. It’s over. It’s a doorway... you’re going into perfect life.” (09:07)

  • Don sees heaven as familiar, only better—free of all that “brings you down.”
  • Siblings and relationships are perfected, “the perfect sibling relationship, no bickering.”

The Ultimate Miracle: Presence and Relationship

• Miracle Redefined: Beyond healings or visions, Don deeply values the ongoing presence and love of God, especially at life's hardest moments.

  “God is always with us. He truly loves us. ...The ultimate thing we’re looking for is just the relationship. It’s the experience of his presence. That’s the ball game.” (11:35)

• The Prodigal Son Parable: Rebukes the idea that we must be perfect; rather, all are welcomed by God.

  “‘Just come home, you know, we’re good...’ That’s okay. You don’t have to be perfect.” (12:09)

Common Themes at Life’s End

• Every Journey Is Unique: There is no universal experience, vision, or feeling; families often ask why death lingers or why healings don’t occur, but Don points to unknown spiritual work happening within.

  “The deepest part of us is not our soul. It’s our spirit. And God is spirit. ...He’s working with us and providing his presence... we certainly don’t know for somebody else.” (12:53)

• Moments of Love and Forgiveness: Sometimes, families come together, experience reconciliations, and leave with peace.

  “The more that the family can get together, as difficult as it may be, the better, because it’s a very unifying thing.” (14:09)

When Miracles Don't Seem to Come

• Faith Amidst Suffering: Not all prayers for miracles are answered as hoped. Don references “The Chosen” TV series:

  “Because I have a purpose for you not being healed.” (15:49)

• Childhood Analogy: Not getting everything you want doesn’t mean you aren’t loved; sometimes, the answer—like the long-awaited bike—comes differently or later.

Don’s Own Miracle: Cancer Survival

• Diagnosis Journey: Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (typically terminal in 11–12 years), Don witnessed healings and sought prayer.
• Personal Healing:

  “Finally I got better. I wasn’t supposed to. The doctors kind of believe it. And basically the first doctor I had said it was a miracle.” (18:53)

• Walking Miracle: After scans showed healing, Don has been cancer-free since 2010.

Writing and Reflecting

• Book Inspiration: Don wrote Matchbooks in the Tunnel to chronicle the journey and God’s interventions.

  “I would have these times of revelation of God’s going to do something, God did something. At other times there was darkness and then it wasn’t going to happen.” (21:05)

  • The title references moments of light and darkness, akin to walking through a tunnel with brief flares of light (matchbooks).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don Mulford on Miracles:

  “Miracles are, I think, the involvement of God in our life... and that happens moment by moment.” (03:54)

• On Experiencing Presence:

  “You feel the presence... It’s intense, and there’s a lot of activity.” (06:36)

• On Nearing Death:

  “It’s more like [heaven] is right here and you’re sort of just stepping into it. It’s close, it’s close.” (07:47)

• On the Ultimate Takeaway:

  “God is always with us. He truly loves us. Life is hard and bad things happen. But the ultimate thing we’re looking for is just the relationship. It’s just the experience of his presence.” (11:35)

• On Prayers Unanswered:

  “The key to life isn’t getting miracles answered... it’s just part of the relationship.” (14:50)

• On Love and Legacy:

  “Her basic last words were, ‘it’s all about love.’” (14:30)

• Regarding His Cancer Healing:

  “Finally I got better. I wasn’t supposed to... the first doctor I had said it was a miracle and said she couldn’t believe it.” (18:53)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:31] Don’s entry into hospice chaplaincy—a “God thing”
• [03:54] Redefining miracles as ordinary, continual events
• [06:36] Describing the spiritual presence at end-of-life scenes
• [07:47] Experiences of patients sensing angels, loved ones
• [09:07] Reframing death as a doorway to perfect life
• [11:35] The true miracle: God’s presence and unconditional love
• [14:30] Last words and love at the end
• [14:50] Why some miracles don’t happen as we hope
• [16:06] Don’s lymphoma diagnosis and pursuit of healing
• [18:53] Don’s cancer declared a miracle by doctors
• [21:05] The story behind Don’s book title

Episode Tone & Style

The tone is deeply compassionate, gentle, and hopeful—reflecting faith, humor, and honesty about the mysteries of suffering and death. Holly and Emily speak as both curious investigators and empathetic friends, while Don shares wisdom with humility and a sense of awe at God’s ongoing involvement in human lives.

Listener Takeaways

• Miracles are often quiet, subtle, and deeply relational.
• Death is not defeat for those of faith but a transition surrounded by love and God's presence.
• Each person’s end-of-life experience is unique, but moments of reconciliation and love prevail.
• Prayers for healing may not be answered as expected, but God’s companionship is the ultimate gift.
• Sharing stories of faith and miracles can bring hope, even in life’s darkest places.

Resource Mentioned:

• Don Mulford’s Book: Matchbooks in the Tunnel: How God Solved My Impossible Problem (Amazon)

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