Note: I have messed up my blog feed somehow. Please let me know if you are recieving Shine Like Stars via email. Many that were signed up to get them have not gotten them since Nov. 19th. Thank you, Lori
Yesterday our church was in charge of the nursing home worship service at a nearby town. The nursing home worship is typically something we do two or three times each year.
Every time we visit the nursing home, we leave the place feeling uplifted. Watching the smiling faces as the residents see the little children is always a joy, but so is watching them sing along during the worship. It's interesting to me that the residents always want to touch the children. Many children aren't comfortable visiting the home, but some are not bothered by it at all. In fact, many little children visiting freely disperse their handshakes and hugs.
Of course, sometimes the visit is heartbreaking, too. I remember one little couple who would turn the pages of the song book and follow along with us as we sang. They would look at each other and smile. The husband would try to help his wife turn the pages and she would take his hand (sweetly) and move it back to his own book, continuing to try to find it herself! It was always great to see them working together through the struggles of their mental and physical bodies. And then I remember going back one time and that little couple wasn't there anymore. There are many I remember that are no longer there.
At this time of year, angel trees are filled with gift wishes for children. People all over the world are giving of themselves to help those in need. While not neglecting these younger ones, let's not forget the elderly, either. Christmas time can be especially lonely for the elderly who may no longer have family of their own, or maybe whose family lives far away. They need our handshakes, hugs, visits, prayers, calls, cards, and maybe even gifts, too.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Ephesians 1:27
This is so true!! I see it all the time at work. I have several patients who are spending their first Christmas alone and my heart breaks for them. But it's not just the holidays, so many of them mention how they never hear from their kids or grandkids...it always makes me call my Grandma! :)
ReplyDeleteSo true..it's also sad how many church's and schools go do performances and nursing centers only during the end of the year and forget them the rest of the year..
ReplyDeleteErika
p.s. I haven't had any trouble receiving your emails.