Now the disease has attacked with a
Vengeance, and hospice is helping
Her face the final phase of her life.
"Can I bring you something," I asked, before
I headed to her home for a visit.
"No, thank you," she said.
She can barely eat and no longer has
A need for things.
But I couldn't go empty handed.
"Show me, Lord, what she just might enjoy."
And then Jack came to mind.
I remembered the special lotion I
Rubbed on his inflamed legs.
I found a bottle of the anti-itch cream and
Stuck it in my bag.
But would my frail friend mind if I applied
It to her skin.
I simply asked, and she said yes.
I sat on a stool and gently held her thin
Leg in my hand.
She had been scratching, and I
Slowly rubbed the healing potion over her
Calf down to her foot.
Over and over I massaged her leg,
And over and over she said, "Oh, that
Feels so good."
I moved on to her foot rubbing extra
Salve on her rough heel.
She apologized for her toe nails, but I wouldn't
Hear it.
"You should have seen Jack's."
I moved to her other leg and foot, and then to
Her arms and the back of her neck and under her chin.
We talked as I soothed her sensitive skin.
I tried to describe the joy that welled up in me as
I rubbed in the balm.
"You're ministering to me too," I said.
When I needed to leave she thanked me profusely for
Her makeshift massage.
I was the first one to apply lotion to her itchy,
Worn out body, she told me.
But I left my bottle with her, so
Hopefully, I won't be the last.
"...he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
Proverbs 11:25