About three-years ago I began visiting an older saint on Thursday mornings. We first met during the churches weekly shut-in visitation on Sunday afternoons. A few weeks later a church member who lived nearby told me she wanted a visit.
We would read a passage of Scripture, sing, and she’d happily share stories from her childhood. Eventually I’d heard those stories enough to tell them myself, but it was worth hearing her testify once again of God’s goodness.
Last year she moved away for a time to live with another daughter (usually lived with the oldest one), so for months I couldn’t meet with her. But when she returned to get the Covid vaccine, we met again with much joy.
Our visits aren’t very long these days because she’s in her eighties….
She doesn’t have a lot of energy, struggles reading, and sometimes can’t remember what we were talking about.
But every Thursday morning she is sitting on her porch with the Bible I bought her in America. A huge smile on her face.
Experiences like this remind me part of ministry is remembering the “forgotten.” These are individuals who cannot leave the home easily (either elderly or informed) and long for human interaction. Sadly because they aren’t seen daily, people forget they are there.
They forget because it’s too late
A friend sent me a message Sunday morning informing me of the funeral of a man who we had used to visit on Sunday Afternoons named “Mr. Black.”
He was blind, but always excited to hear us come, and ready to give a testimony for the Lord. He loved an older hymn “through all the changing seasons of life” and would sing the words with all of his might when we visited.
Because of Covid, we haven’t had Sunday afternoon visitation in over a year. I believe this is a wise and safe choice, but part of me wished I could have heard Brother Black sing again.
May God help us remember the older saints around us. For as we read, sing, and listen to their stories again the Lord brings great joy to their hearts.
Johnhwilburn.org 