“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:3-5 (NIV)
God has a business, which He is working throughout this world. It’s a “not for profit”business, because He gains nothing from it, but our friendship. If God is our Father, and we are His heirs, then we are in the family business with Him. We partake of His goals, doing our part, to show others His compassion. We labor in our Father’s business, in various ways, to a world of the poor in spirit, the meek and those who mourn.
Jesus worked in His father’s business by befriending those groups first. He went to the home of Matthew, the tax collector, and called Zacchaeus, to have dinner with them. Jesus first showed them dignity and later they became believers. They didn’t instantly convert from hearing Jesus preach.
Each person has a unique way of showing God’s compassion and dignity to others. It might start with a conversation and giving them respect. Relationships in the Nursing Facility start with respect, by visiting the sick and the lonely.
It has taught me so much about enjoying people in a present state of being. I’m learning to find joy in the present, instead of mourning for who they were prior to, or could become after a healing from mental illness, stroke, trauma, or a chronic disease. It is helping me to see Jon as he is here and now, not looking at him and always wishing he could be more.
Everyone needs the dignity of being appreciated in the state of being they are currently in.
I enjoy my time spent talking with the residents in that day room. I routinely greet them, especially Amber, who is usually non verbal. Yesterday, as I walked over to greet Amber, she looked at me and said something, but I couldn’t hear her, so I leaned in and asked her to repeat what she said. She said, “Hi, you happy dog.”
I was so amused to hear Amber form a sentence, by not reciting song lyrics. She called me a happy dog, and I took it as a compliment. Then I played music for her and watched her come alive. She didn’t sing as much yesterday, but the rest of the people at her table were singing.
So many residents are poor in spirit, which simply means acknowledging their spiritual poverty. Some residents seem depressed and in a state of mourning, but most of them have a meekness about them. Jesus blessed the poor in spirit, the meek and those who mourn, and I’m certain He desires us to bless them as well.
Tawana, who sat at the table with me and others yesterday, talked about her dependence on God and His goodness. She is the one who had a brain tumor removed a few years ago, and is still recovering. We talked previously about both having twins, but yesterday we talked about our mutual faith in God. In all that we discussed at that table, Amber sat quietly listening as well as another lady, I met for the first time, named Sherry. God’s perfect timing always places the right people at the right table for His good and perfect purpose.
Sherry listened as Tawana and I were talking, and I casually mentioned how Jesus tells us to take one day at a time, not to worry about tomorrow. Sherry, asked “ Really, did Jesus say that?” She was absorbing all the hope that Tawana and I were sharing about the Lord. I believe Amber was quietly listening the whole time.
I am delighted to be the happy dog that Amber sees a few days a week. God has a place and a purpose for all of us to labor in His family business. I just retired three months ago, but I’m sure I’ve found the place, while I’m still learning what my purposes are there.
God wants to touch the poor in spirit, with His compassion. I would never have known I could feel such a connection to a Nursing facility, if it wasn’t for having a son who resides there. It has opened my eyes to a harvest field of souls. I have been able to see people through the eyes of a happy dog, according to Amber. In thinking of what that means, a dog is happy in the present moment, they are never thinking about the past or the future. They live in the joy of now. Thanks Amber, for reminded me to find joy in the moment.
Lord, we pray you will bless others through us, and help us to touch their lives as they touch ours. As we labor to show compassion to the poor in spirit, meek and those in mourning, fill us with your joy to share with others. Amen