Psalm 46:1, & 2a - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear."
Have you ever visited a friend at a nursing home? Have you noticed how many of the residents just sit and stare? Have you just passed them off as being senile, or perhaps victims of Alzheimer’s? I’m sure you have. I have. But have you ever stopped to talk to any of them? I mean, really TALKED? You would be surprised at some of the sad stories you hear. Here is one of them:
I cannot tell you why.
They said I’d just be visiting.
I’d come home bye and bye.
They said that I’d be happy here.
They said that, then they left.
They said, “You’ll make a lot of friends,”
Instead, I feel bereft.
They said, “Dear Mother, you’re too old.
You cannot stay alone.
Last week you left the burner on
And tried to cook the phone.”
That’s true! I did, I must admit.
And why? I do not know.
I guess it’s just like Billy said.
“My mind is getting slow.”
But now I’m here--at this new place.
It’s called a ‘nursing home’.
So many people buzz around,
But I feel so alone.
At my own place there was just ME.
Yet, I felt there was a crowd.
The things around me were my friends.
Of my home, I was proud.
They said they’d come and see me,
My Billy, Ned, and Jean.
But since I’ve come, they have not phoned.
Not one of them I’ve seen.
My neighbors come a--calling. True.
They stop a little while,
They look around, and fidget;
And flash me a self-conscious smile.
They left me at the ‘nursing home’.
They didn’t tell me why.
But now I know just why I’m here.
They’ve left me here to die.
This lady sounds sad and angry, doesn’t she? Can you blame her? Oh, there is nothing wrong with the nursing home. It is a lovely, cheery place, with good food and pleasant workers. But that doesn’t make up for the feeling this lady had of being abandoned by her family.
This sad tale made me stop and think: I COULD BE IN HER SHOES ONE DAY. I would not like it if I were forgotten by my friends and family. But there is one thing I, and you, too, can be sure of. And that is, God will never abandon us.
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
© Helen Dowd
