Thursday. My day to go visit folks and be in the office. I look forward to Thursdays even though they are busy and most times my schedule ends up being more flexible than I am! Is that even possible? I look forward to visiting folks in the nursing home, hospital, and those who are homebound. Sometimes the visits are short, sometimes they are long. Some conversations really don’t have any theological issues being discussed and sometimes long periods of silence are fused between conversation.
What is so amazing about this? Well 2 years ago I would have told you no if you wanted me to go visit someone. Most importantly anyone who was sick or heaven forbid, in a nursing home. You see for me those places represented despair and hopelessness. No good memories could ever be forged in places like that.
Confession time! I was wrong! I have found hope, love, grace, and mercy in these places. I no longer dread going to them, in fact, they seem to be the highlight of my week. The stories, the visits, the conversations, the connections are priceless.
God has sent us out into this world to help those who cannot help themselves. Sometimes it means we have to step out of our comfort zone, out of the box, and do something extraordinary. For me, it was about loving people where they are. We all need someone to love us, to care for us, and to hold us up, when we can’t stand up on our own.
Jesus does that for me everyday. I was reminded this week in my sermon prep that I need to take time and let God’s blessings spill over me. My daily communion with him should be more than just prayer, devotions, and Bible reading, but true “communion” with him. That’s my goal, to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary did, and listen to the Master’s voice!