Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, [and] to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
James 1:27
James 1:27
It is Monday evening, our night at the nursing home. I often find myself tired by evening, almost wishing to stay home. The house would be quiet and empty for a couple of hours. How nice that would be... But, nicer still is to hold a worn hand, to kiss a wrinkled cheek, to hug a lonely soul. I said hello to Lois tonight and watched her face light up at the mention of her name. I try so hard to remember names; Eleanor, Marie, Carol... Those are my new names to remember.Some evenings the living room is almost empty.
Tonight it was full, two dozen residents and our little group of eight. We were blessed to have Mom come along tonight. John and Mary have been asking about her for quite some time. She got the nicest hug from John who is in his early nineties. I am humbled to know how very much my parents meant to the people they loved and ministered to for so very many years. How will we ever fill their shoes?
Martha...unfortunately you will never actually be able to fill their shoes, because your folks are one of a kind! It is a wonderful thing, what you & James are doing & your mom being there is a huge blessing to all the residents, I'm sure. They ministered to Maplewood for 30 years (give or take)!!! WOW!!! Tough act to follow! I remember when I went with Larry to Hurlbut Nursing Home, it would be such a blessing to interact with those souls! I think about them all the time (they are all in Heaven by now), but we're sure to see them again some day:-) I wonder if it's hard for your mom to go without your dad? I bet the people were excited to see her! This brings back memories for me:-)
ReplyDeletePam
I'm so glad she went. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful ministry. I so enjoyed the women at my Aunt Cassie's rest home before she passed away.
ReplyDeleteWe loved to play Bingo!
Martha, you are doing exactly what you should be doing. Your ways of doing things may be different than your Dad's, but he would be so proud of you for stepping up and taking on this ministry that he loved so passionately for so long. I am proud of you, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad she went too! This is really nice!
ReplyDeletePam, I remember you and Larry going to Hurlbut years ago. Once upon a time there were quite a few friends with nursing home ministries.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you do this! What an inspiring post!
ReplyDeleteOh , sweet Lucy. I hope you gave her a hug for me. She always gives good ones back.
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