In 1962, when four guys named, John, Paul, Ringo and George were releasing their first hit song, Doris Mae was helping with choir practice. One particulat night, Doris felt the presence of God in such a powerful way that she hesitated to dismiss everyone. As they lingered a bit, she told someone. “There is such a sweet spirit in this place.” Doris was so enraptured by that experience, that she went home and wrote the words, “There’s a sweet sweet Spirit in this place. And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord.”
Today, almost no one remembers Doris Mae Acker, but millions still sing that song which God gave her. And ironically that big hit song, “Love Me Do.” by The Beatles, is rarely played. That story makes me recall some other lyrics written a bit earlier, “I’d rather have Jesus than world wide fame. I’d rather be true to His Holy name.
It was my privilege to sing Dotis’ sweet song with my friends at Life Care today. I ho0e you can hear their voices as we sang together for Jesus and that you will join in. Have a blessed dsy everyone!
And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25:40 NLT
This morning as I was planning this year’s nursing home Christmas outreach, I remembered how long ago a group of our 7-8-year-old Sunday School children came to sing carols. Their sweet voices as they sang in the dining room was amazing. They sang every song that we could think of, from Away in a Manger to Jingle Bells. The residents loved it and as we finished, the parents crowded in, snapping photos of their dear ones. Maybe the best part was the cookies made by one of the teenage girls. No one cared that they were just a shade overbaked, and as they passed them out the younger children tagged behind handing out Christmas cards and introducing themselves.
Just as our program was winding down, I remembered that, with no extra staff available to help, the residents of the respiratory unit on the second floor had been unable to come. So, I rounded up a small troupe of kids along with two parents and their Sunday School teacher, and then we headed to the elevator. The respiratory ward was populated with some of the youngest of those in the facility. Some had been in a car accident, others a stroke and one or two in the late stages of multiple sclerosis. After bringing our little flock to sing a couple of carols for a few people who I had met before, we headed down the hall. Suddenly, I heard a stranger’s voice calling. “Oh, if you have time, can they please come sing for David?”
“Absolutely!” I said, hoping that their parents didn’t mind that it was getting late. As we started into the room we saw there was a young man, lying in bed, with a breathing tube hooked up to his trach, and sitting nearby was his mother. The children timidly filed in around his bed and then with a little help from my guitar, started to sing. I don’t remember all the songs, but I vividly recall everyone’s tears flowing as the children finished the evening by singing Silent Night.
As they sang, sleep in heavenly peace” the sense of God’s peace was so amazing, that I was reminded of the first Christmas. On that night another child lay helpless, and he shivered, until Mary wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in the hay. Only at Allied Skilled Nursing, there were no wise men with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Instead, our children left a Christmas gift of hope, and their little smiles and timid waves as they said their good-byes reminded us that, no matter where we are, God remembers. And this Christmas, Jesus still waits for both wise men, and children to come and worship on their Silent Nights as well as in the middle of their busy days. I never told our children, but their newly made friend David lived only a few more weeks, and the gift they gave had been far more precious than they could have ever known!
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 1 Thessalonians 1:2 ESV
This week I was especially thankful for the small but faithful group of volunteers who work with me in our nursing home ministry. What happens every so often is that there ends up being four straight days of meetings at the different facilities that we serve. Though I do dearly love my friends in long term care, these weeks would be almost an unbearable burden were it not for people who come alongside to serve. Those meetings began on Thursday morning in a memory care unit, where I am usually full of energy and joy. But by Friday, I was delighted that our good friends, the Hysons, not only came to help serve communion, and then Sue shared a wonderful message with the group. On Saturday at Sunshine Village, another volunteer named Donna, shared her testimony, while another made coffee and brought in cookies for our fellowship after the meeting. Finally at the Sunday afternoon meeting, a couple comes faithfully every two weeks to serve communion, hand out song sheets before the meeting and distribute our newsletters afterward. As I look back over this past year, I am both thankful and amazed to see how God has been building us together as a team, so that together we can better share the love of Jesus and offer people an extension of the ministry of our local church.
Do you have a nursing home outreach at the church you attend? Volunteering might feel intimidating, but there are many different ways to serve. One man has been doing the graphic art for our newsletter and others help us by writing. Some serve communion and others give a brief devotional talk. This week I am posting Donna’s testimony about the way God worked miracles in her family, after her great grandson was diagnosed with leukemia. Donna is not a professional speaker, but her heartfelt story points to our God who does amazing things through the lives of ordinary people like you and me. I pray that you will be encouraged and open for how God wants to work through your life. Stay tuned for tips on organizing a holiday program, in my next post. Have a great week everybody!
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