Long term care

Taking Care of Mom

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When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 ESV

A few years ago, during the pandemic, the way we had served in the past was challenged because nursing homes had closed their doors to visitors. Everything we knew how to do was denied us and we struggled to find ways to still reach the residents in practical loving ways. Today, that era is a distant memory, but if you are a caregiver, chaplain, family member or friend, you will still face moments of despair, and today’s verse encourages us to keep going whatever difficulties we face. Jesus chose us to serve in a unique way, to love widows and those orphaned by the world, entrusting their care to us for a season. When that call seems overwhelming, we need to remember, that when Jesus asked John to take care of His mother, He didn’t assign her as a problem to be solved or a burden to bear, but as a mother to love. Our calling as long-term care workers is to keep on loving people in every way possible and through every opportunity that God puts in our hands. Notice also that none of the other disciples ever understood or helped John out. While Peter and Paul had big public ministries, John stayed close to home. He was taking care of Mary as his lifelong commitment and a lifelong trust. While some people will understand and encourage us, most have little idea of what we are going through. But what matters is not what others think, what counts is that Jesus knows, and will give us His strength and His provision, because after all- we are taking care of His mom!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Thankful for Volunteers

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

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!

My Friend Jerry

/ pastorpete51 / 9 Comments

I cannot show you Jerry’s real photo because he lives in a memory care facility, but this smiling gentleman’s picture is close enough. I met Jerry a few months ago when he began coming to our Thursday hymn singing time. Today there was such a crowd of wheel chairs gathered around me, that when Jerry’s son came to visit, he could not even get close to his dad. Finally towards the end of our session one of the nurses managed to manuveur Jerry out of the crowd, and his son Greg gently guided him outside to the porch to sit and talk. On my way out as I passed by I paused to say hello and introduce myself.

Greg looked up at me with a smile and remarked, “You know I was really surprised to hear him singing with you. I can’t ever remember him singing those songs before!”

“Well he sings every week with us now.” I told him as I shook their hands to say goodbye. That little conversation this morning reminded me why I do what I do (besides that Jesus called me to go). There are so many Jerry’s and Nancy’s and Mary’s and Jim’s, who are waiting for someone to sing to them. In those places, there are some who had once put God off to the side, or even locked Him out of their lives for years, but now long to hear of Jesus and His love. They discover a hunger for heaven and the good news is that God still has a seat at His banqueting table reserved for anyone who will come. It is never too late to come to Jesus.

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new!