Every other Sunday I drive about a half an hour to a neighboring community where a nursing home has asked our church to come and conduct a worship service.
Originally I volunteered to be on a team for this ministry - - - somehow that grew into me being the team leader, and some weeks the entire team.So, twice a month for the past year I have been going to sing, pray, and worship with these sweet people.
Some weeks when I arrive, I learn that one of "my people" has passed away during the intervening two weeks. NO matter how many times that happens, I never get "used" to it.Confession is good for the soul, or so they say, so I will confess right here: each time it is my week to go to the nursing home I find myself wishing I didn't have to make the trip and take up most of my Sunday afternoon. It is true. I am basically selfish. I probably would never choose to do this ministry just because I WANTED to.
But, I have made a commitment, so I pull myself together and I go.
Every single time, I am blessed to have gone and am so thankful I did.
Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting"Sundays in My City"
To which I am linking this post.
My City is Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
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24 comments:
And the scracifice you make must be so appreciated by the residents and their families on many levels. Heavenly work.
I bet you bring many smiles to those sweeties! They are lucky to have you and I am sure they make your heart happy!
Enjoy your day my friend, HUGS!
Your society is based on voluntary work or a lot of it anyway, right?
We pay high taxes to have staff but not for long because of the global economic situation - voluntary work will be an option here too and quite soon I guess. There's a limit how much taxes people are ready to pay...
(We do have voluntary work also but not in a same scale as you.)
About photographing snow.
Even if it would snow here I don't shoot it. Simple as that. Had enough. :) I shoot something else!!! :)
I bet the residents all appreciate your visits, even look forward to them. You are making a difference in their lives.
You are making these residents day that much more brighter. When our boys were smaller we would take them (and my son's boy scout troop) to a nursing home in our community and sing Christmas carols. We also took them trick or treating there too. It was so rewarding to see their smiles when the children stopped by.
I am glad that you go despite what your emotions say beforehand. My dear mother is nearly 80 but in excellent health for her age. She goes once a week to visit her sister who is 90 and lives in an assisted living center. I have watched my mom take care of many of the clients in gentle ways, such as directing them to the cafeteria, handing them a paper, or finding schedules of events. I know she has to force herself sometimes as my aunt is a more than a bit pessimistic by nature, but I love the way the clients light up when they see my mom, who makes time for them at least once a week.
God is watching!
I love you for doing this, Keetha. I am pretty sure they must be looking forward to seeing your wonderfully cheerful self. If I had lived near you, I would have accompanied you with some snacks for them.
:-) I do that for the homes nearby where I live.
I felt so happy to read this post.
We should not get "used to" death. I think that the problem some doctors have after many years of dealing with it. It's too personal to get used to it. you do good work in your service.
Mom, I can so completely relate to your confession!! I'm proud of you for your perseverance, I bet you bring immeasurable joy to those people! You will be rewarded for your work for the Kingdom, you know that.
They look so happy. That speaks volumes for their spunk and environment.
Be well, Keetha.
xoRobyn
Bless you for doing that, Keetha! I'm sure you are a light in their week.
Keetha - it does require self discipline to keep that kind of commitment alive, even when you know you'll feel great once there. Congratulations, I'm sure they appreciate it.
Keetha I admire you for being so honest. When I don't want to do something but I have made that commitment I do it and like you I am blessed. I receive more then I could ever give. hugs, Linda
I think it is very common to dread doing something like that and then being so blessed because you did! The very words team leader makes my heart quiver with fear!
My mama lives in an assisted living facility. When someone dies, they lower the flag to half mast....some weeks it stays there and some months it is down every week! I never get used to it either and I always go right in and say "who died"?
It's a great ministry you have!!!! I'll bet they love you!
I bet they really look forward to you coming - working with the elderly can be tough - I admire you!
You do so many great things, but this is one of the best. You cannot imagine what your visits mean in a nursing home. They are still humans and get lonesome. So many put there and forgotten. Bless you for blessing them.
I was going to say, as I read your post, that even though it's hard and a sacrifice to go I would be sure that you leave having been so glad you were there. And I know how much the families of the patients appreciate you and what you do. I know because I am a family member of a similar place. Bless you!
You are not selfish (if you were, you wouldn't go), you are just human.
One thing I'm learning by being my husband's caretaker is to not be so hard on myself. I admire your honesty and your diligence to go and do what's right. Isn't there a parable about someone who was all gung-ho committing to do something and then didn't do it. And then there was the guy who complained and actually did it. I like the guy who's actions won out, he's the guy we can count on. You're the woman they can count on.
How wonderful that you do this! My mom was in a nursing home for 3 1/2 years, so I know how important the work that you do there is.
My sister lives in a senior apartment complex now, and every Sunday evening, a church group comes in and has a service for them. It's wonderful that she doesn't have to leave her building to hear a message and some good ol' hymns.
God is blessing you for your work!
I heartily agree with all the people who patted you on the back, and know that your greatest reward will be on the other side.
I enjoy people in nursing homes and I still don't go because of the "loss issue" when people die. I thought I'd volunteer, but after my mom died, I didn't have the heart to endure the losses. That's selfish!
Keetha,
You are just the sweetest gal and I know that they love you there!
Just got back from AZ. too short of trip and the weather was beautiful, but hubby missed me.
Big Hugs,
Oh, your previous posts have all been excellent...just getting caught up!
Cindy
I admire you so much for doing this. I bet they really appreciate you going every week. It must be a real commitment.
Oh. This made me cry.
I am so glad you go.
Thank you for making the trek. Thank you for sharing your smile. Your love. Jesus. Thank you.
Thank you so much Keetha.
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