Family

Hope Going Viral

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments

I do hope that this Corona virus does not become a crisis here in the U.S. but no matter what happens we are all in this together. Maybe growing older has given me perspective so I have some hope and advice to share that these gray hairs have taught me. It’s time to stop panicking and start praying even for leaders we don’t like. We may not like our brothers and sisters but we’re still a family.

It’s time to stop complaining and start caring. Pointing fingers while our boat is taking on water is a lot less effective than bailing out some water. It’s time to remember that people matter a lot more than things. I don’t even want to know how much of our life savings have disappeared in the last 3 days of mayhem on Wall Street but we’ve been through worse and God has been faithful.

After all we’ve been through my wife and I still have each other. We still have our family and the freedom to worship on Sundays and be reminded there that this too will pass. Jesus resurrection from the dead has given us a hope more contagious than any virus. We can always trust God because No matter what lies ahead we are blessed and no matter the disease – Jesus is always still the cure!

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Who is My Family?

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Some of today’s worst homelessness is not found with folks camping on the streets; though you would think so if you watched Fox News, CNN or even your own local station. Here in the USA there are 1.5 million people living in long term care institutions, who while they are not out out on the street are certainly not living at home. Though for the most part they are fed and clothed; they struggle with loneliness; depression and even bitterness as much as anyone in a encampment. The answer to this part of the homeless crisis will never be found unless we as a society and more importantly; we as the church of Jesus Christ begin to ask the right question. One of the most famous stories of Jesus resulted from the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Instead we need to be asking  “Who is my family?” Family is the first place we should be able to find help and the last place we should be rejected but sadly in 21st century western society this is becoming more and more uncommon. But God values family and especially the most fragile members of it so highly that he packed one of His Ten Commandments together with a promise if we kept it.

Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16

Some one once said that what matters is not how many years are in our life but how much life is in our years. Years spent alone in a long term care facility may be necessary for the physical care of some of our family members; but it cannot be a substitute for family. The United States Department on Aging tells us 70% of our seniors on long term care never receive a single visit all year. As a long time chaplain in many different Nursing Homes I can attest to the fact that if we raised the number from 0 visits to just three per year it would sadly include more than 90% of Mothers and Fathers struggling through their final chapters alone.

Remember Jesus said that being a true neighbor was not about living next door to someone but about showing compassion. The same holds true for family. You might not have a Mom or Dad in long term care but there are plenty there who would be delighted if you treated them like family. This week why not peel away a little time from the TV and ask our Father in Heaven how you can be a son or daughter to someone alone whose family is not there.

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The Road that Leads to Home

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”  Luke 15:32 NIV

My wife and I used to ride in separate vehicles on the way to church because I was leading the hymns at nursing home during the Sunday school hour. Usually one son went with her while the other tagged along with me. I’m still not sure what happened on that ill fated Sunday but somehow we forgot one boy at church. Chris realized something odd had happened but he didn’t panic. First he searched up and down the gradually emptying church then after he checked everywhere that he could think of he sat down on the steps and tried to think of what to do. As one of the deacons (Who thankfully was our close friend) went to lock the doors he saw Chris.

“So where’s your mom and dad?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” Chris answered shaking his head.

“If you want to ride in my truck I’ll take you home.” John offered.

Meanwhile back at home we had just realized what had happened and in embarrassment I ran out the door ready to speed back to church. Just then John’s old red truck pulled in our driveway. At that moment everyone had a smile on their faces except for me.

classic red vehicle scale model

Photo by Eneida Nieves on Pexels.com

“Forget something?” John asked with a chuckle as he opened the door and Chris hopped out. My wife and I both ran to embrace our briefly lost son. Imagine how the heart of God bursts when we come home to Him. He never forgets us even when we have forgotten Him. Instead He sent Jesus to pick us up and put us on the road that leads us safely home!