Wednesday, June 27, 2012

I KNOW A SECRET

My friend Carol who's blog is Careann's Musings http://careann.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/i-sing-in-the-shadow-of-your-wings/  has been asking for prayer for her Aunt who has undergone emergency surgery. And by God's grace is doing well. Carol mentioned that her Aunt Noni has "accepted" her circumstances.
I'm wondering, as I age how well I will accept my own circumstances.
Several days during the week, my routine is to visit several people who are now residing either in assisted living or in a nursing home.  I sit with them, pray with them, listen to them. Somedays I even feed them. 
Over the years I have also cried with them. 
Some of them are gracious, thanking everyone for even the smallest favor. Others of them are bitter, and hateful. Demanding attention and complaining about every little thing, and reminding everyone in their captive audience how miserable they are. Some of them have even gone so far as to tell me they are angry with God for allowing them to be there. One lady told me, "no one ever comes to see me." 
I reminded her, "I'm someone, I'm here." She said to me, "you don't count, you're always here." Hmmmmm, I think I understand why no one else comes.
The one common factor that resonates from each of the gracious people is Jesus. They know the "secret". They invited Jesus into their heart and accepted Him into their life. Knowing that Jesus is with them always. Joshua 1:5......As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
So Lord, is that my "assignment"? To plant YOU in their heart? I'm trying Lord, some days it's a difficult task. 

2 comments:

Carol J. Garvin said...

It must be difficult to accept the limitations of age and health that leave one dependent upon others. Like you, I don't know how accepting I would be. I hope I'll be thankful for kind caregivers and thoughtful friends, and will express that thankfulness, because they definitely DO "count".

In my aunt's case, she has never given up, but she's given in, learning to live with her limitations but not be controlled by them. She's a wonderful example of "aging gracefully".

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol,
I like that, she has never given up, but she's given in.....
I hope I can remember that one!
I'm still praying for her.
Hugs
Katt