Yesterday, my sister-in-law and I dropped in to see my 102 year old mother-in-law at the nursing home where she lives. We quickly discovered that she wasn’t in her room but was down the hall at a Bible study. The teacher was encouraging this elderly audience with the Beatitudes.
As we walked near the room the appearance was a little unsettling. No one really looked engaged. There were some in high back wheel chairs asleep or staring into space. One lady was happily cuddling the doll in her arms and looked very content.
We slid into the back of the room to wait and listened as the teacher spent most of her time on Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
To the observer, it was hard to see if anyone “felt” filled. But, at the end of her talk the teacher explained how singing can lift their spirits and help them to feel filled with the Spirit of God and to praise Him regardless of their circumstances. She asked them to sing, “This Little Light of Mine” and then, “I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy.”
This group of about 20 people who looked unengaged became animated and sang with joy! It was so touching to see (and hear) how the singing really did lift their spirits. They seemed happy to keep going and suggested more hymns.
These people live in less than ideal circumstances. My mother-in-law reports that she is well cared for, eats well, and is given plenty of options of things to do…but it’s not like home. Yet, for a few moments as she sang songs she learned as a child, songs that point us to the One who loves and brings comfort, she seemed joyful.
Thinking about this made me realize that with the state of the nation and the world today (for some this includes the strife in our own families) we all live in trying times. As Christians, we have a great hope in the life and death of our Savior and can often see past the earthly troubles. But, we are still sinful creatures that are affected by what goes on around us. We, too, can get discouraged.
Bringing scripture to mind that reminds us of who our God is and how powerful, gracious, and merciful He is, can bring us real comfort. Yesterday, as I listened to those folks who had looked so miserable moments before light up as they started to sing; I thought maybe that’s a tactic more of us should try. Use the scripture for sure but add a hymn or a spiritual song and we’ll be obeying what Colossians 3: 15-16 tell us to do: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
From the appearance of things, these folks were all thankful they had joined that study. The next time discouraging thoughts are overtaking our peace, let’s sing to the Lord. The God of all comfort! (2 Corinthians 1:3)
Beth,
This post reminded us (my wife and I) of taking care of our parents in their homes until their death. It was a full-time job, very demanding and tiring, but well worth it. I recall so many discussions we had about their childhood, marriage, and the struggles they endured over the years that I would have had no idea they experienced had we put them in a home.
We were able to do this because we built a duplex on the farm, and we lived just down the road from our parents. I am in NO WAY suggesting everyone can take care of their parents in their parents’ home. But, I still recall the many times our parents thanked us for not putting them in, as they put it, “a home for old people.”
You wrote something that helped me today to realize that no matter how difficult it was to care for our parents in their own home, it was well worth it and I thank God that He provided us with the means to do so.
You wrote: These people live in less than ideal circumstances. My mother-in-law reports that she is well cared for, eats well, and is given plenty of options of things to do, BUT IT’S NOT LIKE HOME.
WOW, 102 years old, I can only imagine the stories she could share with us. Why don’t you ask her to share some of her most memorable experiences and challenges? It should give you plenty of material to write about, and I would love to read about what she has experienced over the last 102 years.
I also noticed a big change in our parents’ spirits while they were telling us their life’s story when they realized that we really were listening to them with genuine interest.
Peace