Each month, myself and other members of our ministry worship team visit
a local seniors’ care facility. We bring a banquet of Gospel songs and spend
time with our friends there. Regardless if the songs are traditional or
contemporary, there is one constant. That constant is God’s message of love and
salvation. We sing of His amazing grace, and acknowledge that what we have has
been paid in full at the cross. The songs tell stories of how great our God is,
and reaffirm His peace in our valleys and the view from the mountain top.
We have come to know our friends, not so much by their names, but by
their faces as we see how God causes them to revisit a good time in their life.
We see how He transforms aged bodies into young spirits as they go back in time
with the lyrics of the prayers of days gone by. This effect warms the hearts of
us that go and share His praises. He returns them to their youth if only for a
few minutes. Forlorn faces become glowing smiles and tapping feet as they sing
with us note for note, and word for word. The memories and promises of the
songs allow each of them to rest and sleep in God’s peace.
Many of these friends’ who are in their eighties, were no doubt
instrumental in raising many of the church buildings and congregations we know
today. Many served on church boards, and in our armed forces. Some are widows
and widowers who are alone, yet surrounded by friends. The common denominator
is their love and faith for the Lord.
Who else but Father God could cause such an effect like this? Who else
but Jesus could make such an impression on them with this power? Who else but Holy
Spirit would be as faithful as to remain within them every minute of every day,
of every year? No one. Deuteronomy 31:8 NKLV promises this.” And the Lord, He
is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor
forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed”. We see this belief in this promise,
each time we visit our friends. They are the elderly, not alone, and not
forgotten. Their experience in keeping the faith speaks volumes to those of us
who now follow. We should all take notes from these great teachers. Let Jesus
cause the same in us, allowing His everlasting effect to remain. Someday we
will sit and listen to a visiting worship team, and be taken back in time. What
a day, glorious day that will be.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com
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