My husband and I went for our weekly visit to the Nursing Home to see Daddy . We arrived just in time for the Morning Devotions and Sing-a-Long. There was about a dozen or so residents gathered together in the sitting room. All eyes were on the Activities Director as she read the daily Bible verse, told a few stories and sang a couple of old songs.
I felt a bit discouraged as Daddy just sat motionless in his wheelchair.
The Parkinson's disease has robbed him of his voice and ability to communicate. Most of the time now he is unable to speak. Every once in a while he tries to whisper something and I will lean in and put my ear next to His lips in order to hear him.
Today he sat quietly listening to the Director sing . There was only a couple of the folks joining in while the rest of the group sat still, frozen and unresponsive.
I gazed around the room surveying each person who was there wondering what their lives were like before they came to live out their last days here in this home. I know that one lady was a School Teacher, there is a friendly gentleman who was a Salesman, Daddy was an Iron worker and his roommate was a Pastor.
Each one had God given gifts,talents and a purpose for their lives. They have families, spouses, children and grandchildren. Some are war heroes and some are everyday heroes. All from different backgrounds and walks of life yet somehow now they have become a family to each other in this final season of their lives.
The Leader continued her schedule of songs and most of the people remained still and detatched. She turned the page of the songbook and sang out six words that changed the atmosphere.
"JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW."
Suddenly, as if someone flipped a switch, the residents sat up in their chairs and came to life! They all chimed in "FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO."
"YES , JESUS LOVES ME, YES, JESUS LOVES ME."
I felt like I was watching a scene from the movie "COCOON"and they had all just been bathed in the "Fountain of Youth."
"But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14
Every person there was alive and vibrantly restored as they sang the words "JESUS LOVES ME."
Somewhere buried in the depths of their hearts and souls they had tucked away this song, these words and the promises of God.
"Thy word I have hid in my heart."Psalm 119:11
Instantaneously they were transported back to their childhood and the happy memories they each recalled. Remembering not only the lyrics and melody but the sweet and blessed assurance of their Savior.
Now everyone in the room had a smile on their face. They were singing and clapping and dancing ! Just knowing that Jesus Loves them ignited within their hearts the reason for their hope!
Looking over at my Daddy, I reached out to hold his crippled hand, and for those few sacred moments in time his posture seemed to straighten up , he smiled and with tears in his eyes he whispered the words:
"JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW . FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
LITTLE ONES TO HIM BELONG, THEY ARE WEAK BUT HE IS STRONG. YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME. YES, JESUS LOVES ME. THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO."
When Jesus is invited into a room He brings Love! He brings Joy! He brings life!
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17
HALLELUJAH!
PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!
DONNA SELMA LIND
