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Singing With Virginia

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
O Sing unto to the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1 KJV

A few years ago, I had been praying for God to open doors at the long-term care facilities I visit, but I wasn’t prepared to see them swing open quite so wide. One morning I arrived at the memory-care ward of a local facility and found about a dozen folks seated in the TV area by the nurse’s station. They seemed happy to see me and as I took out my guitar and started singing “Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man who stilled the waters!”, I noticed behind one lady pacing aimlessly back and forth hunched over her walker. I paid little attention to her until she suddenly started shuffling in our direction. Being concerned that she might fall, one of the nurses jumped up and gently redirected her back to the hall. But just a minute later she was back, and this time walked right up to me and stood quietly for a moment, then reached out her finger and touched the strings of my guitar. Curious to see what she would do; I assured the nurse that it was fine. “What’s her name?” I asked the nurse. “Oh, that’s Virginia.” She called back. I had not been able to see Virginia’s face because she was so completely bent over her walker but when she heard her name she looked up and smiled. Then as we started the next hymn Virginia began to sing. Her face lit up as our voices joined together, “Jesus – Jesus – Jesus – Sweetest name I know. Hears every longing of my heart – Keeps me singing as I go!” Oh yes doors began opening today but the one that swung the widest was the one to my heart. Virginia reminded all of us that everyone on earth can sing a new song for you!

Singing in Memory Care

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

Some folks probably wonder why I bother to write two separate blogs. The reason is that, Walking With Lambs is devoted specifically for people whose lives have been touched by long-term-care, whether you are on staff, have a family member or friend in a facility or are a volunteer, these posts are meant to be an encouragement as well as a forum to add your own experiences. Today’s post is a reminder that, while those in the memory care wing of one community I visit are the least visited, they do still have a capacity to worship and praise Jesus. In fact, if you listen carefully, you will hear many happy voices praising God as we sing. I think that God loves to hear those folks more than any worship team of earth. They are the little ones who our Father is pleased to spend His time with. Why shouldn’t we do the same!

“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

pastorpete51's avatarWalking With Lambs

If you have ever wondered if it is worth it to visit memory care, then this is a perfect video for you to watch. If you listen just a bit, you will hear many happy voices singing along with me. They may not recall where they used to live, or the name of family members, but they remember these songs and the name of Jesus. What a delight it is to sing with them and in my humble opinion, I think Jesus likes the sound of their voices better than any recording artist on earth! Today’s song session includes: Isn’t the Love of Jesus Something Wonderful, Oh How I love Jesus and He Keeps Me Singing. I pray that He will keep you singing as well and that you will live for Him every day!

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