After singing Christmas carols that day at the nursing homes, my heart had been so touched that I wanted to go back. I told my mom right after leaving that we needed to make cards for all the residents there. And thus we did. I was so excited to start the project, especially since I'm home and don't have school work to do! However, after measuring and cutting out all those cards, I almost decided to not do it anymore. If we wanted to do this, a card would need to go to every resident at the Union House, and only 5 or so cards had actually been made by Wednesday. I kept finding other things to do and just put it off, which is never a good idea. Nevertheless, with a ton of help from my family, and staying up until 2 am to personally write in all of the cards was accomplished before Christmas Eve, the day we wanted to hand them all out. The next story changed my heart even more than it already had been the first time I was at the nursing home.
That morning of Christmas Eve, my mom, sister and I went to the nursing home to deliver the cards. At first, we were going to just drop them off, but thankfully we got to personally deliver each card to all of the residents there. I can't give justice to what happened in those thirty minutes through my own words, because it was so powerful and totally the power of Christ at work in my life, my mom's, my sisters and the folks there. Passing out Christmas cards to the men and women was a gift in itself. The residents were so joyful when we handed them a card, and some of them were even shocked that they were receiving a card of their very own. As we went upstairs, a fair amount of the residents were having their lunch in the dining area, and so we passed out more cards there. Many of the folk up there seemed to be suffering a lo from a variety of disabilities. As were headed to the elevator, one of the nurses asked someone to read what was written in the cards. A man probably no older than 50, started reading the card. His voice, and those words he spoke, will never leave my memory nor my heart. He had trouble speaking, but his voice started to change as he said he was going to cry. The moment he said that my heart broke for him, for everyone there. As we stepped onto the elevator, I wanted to cry and turn back and give him a great big hug. I didn't, sadly. Hopefully, one day I'm blessed to go back there and give him that hug. But leaving the nursing home again, my heart was so filled with love and joy that I couldn't even contain it! There was sadness mixed in there as well, as I wish I could go there every day and bring them cards or letters of encouragement, but the joy of Christ overcame the sadness and brings hope to my heart. Hope and joy that God uses someone little person like me to share his amazing love and grace.
I can't even fathom the love that Christ has for me, but I know it's overwhelming, unconditional and selfless as He gave Himself up for each of us. And there in that moment, I had a tiny sliver of a hint of how Christ loves us. I was so blessed. Not that I know how Christ feels as He loves us but in that moment my heart was overflowing with love for these people, and He is continually teaching me how to love others. Just as He loves them and just as I would love myself. And I know Christ loves each of them so very much. I hope to go back very soon before Christmas break is over, but as dearly beloved friends, be praying for them and for all the other folks who are in nursing homes!
And just a word of encouragement! I almost gave up this little project, but God strengthened me to finish what I had started. And thank God, it got finished since He had such a special plan in store for many of us. I pray that as you read the following verses, you just let God speak to you through it for His word is living and active. Don't ever give up my friends, He has a great journey ahead for you and in the end it'll all be worth it.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" Galatians 6:9-10
Praise Him!
In Christ,
Heather
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