Helen was visibly sad and hopeless in the nursing home when I first met her. She explained that she was forced to move to Ohio and then sent to “this place”. She was a believer in Jesus, but she could not understand why God allowed such disappointment in her life, even after she had tried so hard to be a good mother and a good person. I shared with her how God wanted her to forgive those who “put her in this place” and to trust that He has a good plan for her. She was open to the Scriptures I shared and we both prayed for the Lord’s help.
I promised her that I would return and I am ashamed to say that I simply forgot to go back for over two months. One day while passing that nursing home, I remembered and thought, “Oh my goodness, I forgot all about that lady!”
I rushed inside the home, found her room, knocked on the door and said, “Hi, Helen, not sure if you remember me”.
“Oh, yes I remember you. Come in, Pastor.”
I was really embarrassed, and I apologized for my absence. She immediately responded with much kindness and grace. She told me that after I left her that evening, she lay in her bed asking the Lord to help her. She said that He reminded her that she needed to surrender her life to Him and trust Him. She did this, and then went to sleep.
Helen continued to explain to me, that when she woke up the next day, she had become a different person. She began to see how most of the people in the home were lonely, and she began to speak words of encouragement to them. They in turn began to respond with gratitude, and they now enjoy Helen’s company. She told me that she made friends with several fellow residents and staff members. God showed her that she was still profoundly needed and valuable! ~ Bill Goodrich
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. ~ Psalm 71:18
