Singing at nursing homes is unlike anywhere else. The audience loves every minute of it, though many of them are unable to show their appreciation in tangible ways. A tap of a foot, a clap here and there, or a smile from one of their friends is like a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall.
Last Saturday when we sang, a middle-aged woman who sat in front, seemed to enjoy listening to the hymns, but her listless expression and limited movement told me she may have suffered a stroke.
After we finished, my wife and I went around to speak with each resident, and as we came to her, she gingerly stretched out her hand, and said, “You know my mother.”
My first thought was, “I doubt it; you probably think I’m someone else.” But then out of curiosity I asked, “What’s your mother’s name?” When she told me, I was amazed because it was a teacher with whom I had worked and who had been a big encouragement to me in the Lord. She had often prayed for our children and family, and in shock I suddenly realized that here I was talking to her daughter!
Yet this providential meeting also gave me pause. Mrs. N, the woman’s mother, had already suffered so much. First she lost her son, and then her husband, to cancer, and now here I was talking with her daughter in a nursing home. This made me wonder if there is anything stronger than a mother’s love. Then I remembered, yes, in fact, there is something–The love of God.
Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Jeremiah 31:3b (NKJV)
Last night, as I read through my old text messages from Mrs. N., who is now in her eighties, I saw that every one of them was a reminder that I, and my family, are safely in God’s hands. His is truly the strongest love on earth!
There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still. Corrie Ten Boom
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
This piece was first published in the Sunshine Weekly Newsletter, a publication which is shared in nursing homes and assisted living centers. A special thank you to Peter Caligiuri, aka “Pastor Pete,” for inviting me to contribute a monthly column! Peter blogs at praise2worship.net
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