Some of my most powerful moments in life:
- nobody has ever seen
- involved me dancing with a few ladies
- I cannot explain
- involved me holding people’s hands
- made me cry
- were not on a stage
- required me to listen to ramblings
- showed me God’s beauty
- took place in similar environments
- I preached sermons to a group who probably couldn’t “listen”
- humbled me
- involved me reading and singing to people
Where did all this take place?
Nursing home. Yes, the place that has “that smell.” Yes, the place that normally makes people nervous. Yes, the place where you are unsure of what to say and what to do.
I remember Jeanine. She has not been out of her nursing home bed in about 20 years. She was only in her 40′s. What happened? Car accident. Her husband then left since she would forever be confined to a bed. No longer could she talk. No longer could she interact on a normal basis.
How did I know about her? My mom used to work at a nursing home and Jeanine was a patient. About a decade ago I started stopping in to visit with her and other patients. I would read her the Bible. I would sing to her. We would hold hands. I would tell her stories. I would cry as I looked at her attempt to smile at me. I would take my hand and gently rub her face and her hair.
She would take it in.
Could my visit actually make her smile? I think so. She was beautiful. She was sweet.
My life was impacted. As I write this it seems as if everything took place yesterday. A rush of emotions flood my heart and mind.
So, I ask…
Could you take some time to stop by a local nursing home? Your visit may just be one of the most powerful moments in your life.
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