"Consider the ravens," I told the Residents at the nursing facility. "They don't sow or reap, but God takes care of them. He Will care for you." "Consider the sparrows. Two of Them cost just a penny, but God notices when one strikes the Ground. You are much more Valuable to Him than a sparrow." "Consider the eagles. God helps them Soar above the clouds. He will lift you Above your hard circumstances." I gave each of the dear folks a Picture of a bird to take back to Their rooms as a reminder. "When you are forlorn, When you feel forsaken, When you wonder how you will Carry on, consider the birds." |
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I wish I could give money to
Every good cause. I wish I could pray for every Prayer request that comes my Way, or deliver a meal to Everyone in need. I cannot. I am sorely limited. But my limitations shouldn't Prevent me from giving money to A few good causes, or praying for a Great many prayer concerns or from Delivering food to a neighbor or two. When you first came, over a
Decade ago, I was excited, eager to Get acquainted with the Yoders. And as you settled in, Pastor Mike, You matured, your family matured, and Your preaching matured as well. When my astute son-in-law was Here a few weeks ago, he said, "Your pastor will be hard to Replace." But perhaps "replace" isn't the Best word, for no one can ever Really replace another. I prefer to say God is moving you on, And as you settle in to your new Role, may you discover that He is Maturing you once again, fitting you for His plan. But dear Pastor Mike and Letitia, My heart is divided. I wish you God's best as you go, But at the same time, I wish you Could stay. It was the first Sunday of the month, the
Day our single gals meet for lunch after Church. Sixteen of us were seated along both Sides of the long rectangular table. We didn’t notice the mom and her Daughter who were eating in a Booth nearby. Did the lady observe our laughter, Our exuberant conversation, Our patience as we waited for our Meals. She had to know we had just come from Church because of the way we were Dressed. Did she hear the prayer that Judy lifted up for our group? Did she sense our common bond in Our singleness and in our love for Jesus? I can only guess. But the woman anonymously paid the Tab for all our meals. She was gone before we could Thank her or even see her face. But she left an impression on her Daughter, and the waitress and the Hearts of 16 grateful women who Were astonished at her generosity. We lingered for awhile trying to process The surprise. I suspect, though, that the heart of Our secret donor was just as blessed As ours. My faith was small.
For the first time we were Offering communion to the folks At the nursing home. At our service last month only 4 Ladies came, so I didn't expect Many more for this one, perhaps 6 or 7. But as I was washing the small Stainless steel cups which Would hold the grape juice, I Surmised, "Perhaps I should add a Few extra, just in case." When I walked into the small Chapel, I was surprised at the Attendance. By the time our speaker had Finished his message and we Were ready to distribute the Bread and the juice, every seat was Filled, a record for us. How many cups were in my bag? I had forgotten. I was apprehensive. As Kent filled the vessels I passed them Out to each participant. When I came to the last person, I had Reached the last cup. Fourteen! Just enough! The dear folks rejoiced along with me. And rather than closing with just a Prayer as we had planned, we sang "To God be the glory great things He Has done." And we sang with gusto. After a hiatus of many months,
Our team of three was allowed back In the nursing facility to hold a Sunday service. Seven ladies attended. For weeks on end they had been Confined to their rooms, and now They were thrilled to be back in the Small lovely chapel. Several of the residents were Familiar to us, but two were New, not just to the group, but To widowhood as well. I could sense the compassion in The room for this grieving pair. The women were eager to sing the Old hymns and to take in the Bible lesson focusing on Thanksgiving. Over and over they thanked us for Caring enough to come to their Home on a Sunday afternoon. Our service had been such a Simple one, but the sweet senior Ladies welcomed us so warmly we Felt like honored guests. Our speaker expressed our Feelings, "We came to bless you, But you blessed us." And Kent, Beth and I assured them, "We'll be back." A friend gave me the perfect birthday gift,
A small book with the title: "Living With Purpose in a Worn-Out Body." At first I chuckled. But I discovered the message was Powerful. Although the book is geared towards Folks who are older and more Feeble than I am, I already see the Signs. I'm edging towards 80, and my body Shows it. I feel it. And as I've aged, my ministries have Changed, From teaching preschoolers, to Caring for my husband, to Encouraging widows, to Writing poems and speaking up for Jesus. My physical and mental abilities decrease as My years increase. One day I may only be able to pray, or simply Be the recipient of other people's prayers. But no matter my limitations, God will Always have a purpose for me. And I want to live it out. A selection from the book by Missy Buchanan Aging Well What does it mean to age well? Is it to be mentally sharp or to look years younger than your age? God, I believe you intend that aging well is not about appearance or quick recall. To age well is to bend my will to yours. Only then can you use every situation to make me more like Jesus. Lord, I am old, but I want to be a vessel of humility and grace that can be poured out onto the lives of others. That, I believe, is the secret of aging well. You've been in Africa so long that I
Wonder whether it feels like home now. I wonder whether you are used to being Different. With your light skin you must stand out Everywhere you go. You stand out to me, too, because of Your commitment to Jesus and the People you serve. You've had thirty years of adapting, of Moving to a new country when your Former one was threatened, Learning new customs, Foods, taboos; Raising support, Raising your quiet voice for the Women, the children, the needs that Are overwhelming. Karen, the pictures you send can't Describe what your life is really like. Only you and the Lord know the Struggles you face. I can't be in your place. But I can pray for you, And I do. Thanks for modeling to me what it Means to follow Jesus, Anywhere. Only God knows the myriads of servants who
Work behind the scenes enriching People's lives without receiving recognition or Credit. I discovered one of them today. When our church members are Hospitalized this gal follows up with the Patients by giving them a call and Sending a card. I wouldn't have learned of her ministry if She hadn't called me by mistake. "It's just a small thing I can do," she Told me. But to those who receive her calls and Cards it's a big thing. The workers returned from their
Mission trip to Barbuda. They flew in Saturday night and Were in church the next morning. They thanked me for my prayers and Reported that the project had gone Well. Best of all, one man gave his life to Jesus. My friends had gone to minister, but They reported that the ones who were Destitute had ministered to them. Many of the islanders had lived in Tents for a year and a half. Their needs were overwhelming, and Yet they were generous and Hospitable. The residents expressed their gratitude Over and over. As Thanksgiving approaches, I've Noticed that often it's the ones who Have the least who give thanks the Most. |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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