I have started to see a little lady from our church who is in a nursing home. She has Alzheimer's. I started to visit her in November. I would just go for an hour. At first she really was just laying there. Sort of in a tight ball. I just started because I wanted to tell to her that she was still God's beloved daughter- even though she could not do a thing. We(I) would pray, read the Bible and sing a little-actually recite poetry.
I was so scared at the beginning. I was scared of being inadequate. That was one reason I was trying out my newly found abilities on someone who could not "reject" me . She could not refuse the love that God was bringing her. So often I try to tell others about the grace but they come up with all the excuses of what we need to do to receive Christ's blood. Some say they believe in the grace of salvation but not the grace of daily life. They believe that the good works that they do are keeping them saved. But the positive activity is not. Paul was doing good as well before the Lord blinded him. We are told to just wait upon the Lord. We are told that the burden is light but if we need to pick up the burden of keeping the law then what good is grace?
This past week I visited her again. Her husband soon joined us, in our prayer meeting. He was surprised to me there. He was surprised at the word I used for our visits. I am not sure what else to call it really. As we are not really visiting. I was planning on him being there with me as we prayed for God to heal her. I had brought some grape juice with me and some bread (cookie) that I was planning on sharing. He was surprised I was so well equipped for prayer. So we started. He knew all the words as he was preaching for over 45 years. But I did not do as I was "taught". I was fumbling all the way. As I was thinking as we were drinking..." As the blood that we drink has indeed covered our sins already and the life that was slain still equips us on a daily basis." But he was patient. We ended up just thanking Jesus in prayer for his healing hand.
But as we did that we indeed felt a closeness of the Almighty. I am not sure what had happened but God came by or one of his angels. I do not know what has happened since to her or her husband but I can not wait for Sunday to see.
Even before we had the "communion" I could see the affection of the elderly couple. She was very happy to see him when he walked into the room. He would adjust the curtains and whatever else he could- he opened the window as well to let the air in.
After he left for supper we continued our visit. I ended up reading the 23rd Psalm. She was walking through the valley of the shadow of death. And the table that was prepared for her was nothing more then a bowl of white custardy stuff. I am not sure who the enemies are...unless it is the disease itself.
I was so scared at the beginning. I was scared of being inadequate. That was one reason I was trying out my newly found abilities on someone who could not "reject" me . She could not refuse the love that God was bringing her. So often I try to tell others about the grace but they come up with all the excuses of what we need to do to receive Christ's blood. Some say they believe in the grace of salvation but not the grace of daily life. They believe that the good works that they do are keeping them saved. But the positive activity is not. Paul was doing good as well before the Lord blinded him. We are told to just wait upon the Lord. We are told that the burden is light but if we need to pick up the burden of keeping the law then what good is grace?
This past week I visited her again. Her husband soon joined us, in our prayer meeting. He was surprised to me there. He was surprised at the word I used for our visits. I am not sure what else to call it really. As we are not really visiting. I was planning on him being there with me as we prayed for God to heal her. I had brought some grape juice with me and some bread (cookie) that I was planning on sharing. He was surprised I was so well equipped for prayer. So we started. He knew all the words as he was preaching for over 45 years. But I did not do as I was "taught". I was fumbling all the way. As I was thinking as we were drinking..." As the blood that we drink has indeed covered our sins already and the life that was slain still equips us on a daily basis." But he was patient. We ended up just thanking Jesus in prayer for his healing hand.
But as we did that we indeed felt a closeness of the Almighty. I am not sure what had happened but God came by or one of his angels. I do not know what has happened since to her or her husband but I can not wait for Sunday to see.
Even before we had the "communion" I could see the affection of the elderly couple. She was very happy to see him when he walked into the room. He would adjust the curtains and whatever else he could- he opened the window as well to let the air in.
After he left for supper we continued our visit. I ended up reading the 23rd Psalm. She was walking through the valley of the shadow of death. And the table that was prepared for her was nothing more then a bowl of white custardy stuff. I am not sure who the enemies are...unless it is the disease itself.
Psalm 23All I have is time to give. But I could really see a positive difference from 2 months ago. Are there people around you that could use a visit? I have a feeling she was waiting 5 years for my visit. I am glad I still had time. I was not ready before. Guilt and worry are not a girl's best friend.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
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