If you’re having trouble finding evidence of God in your daily life, let me make a suggestion.  Go sit in a parking lot of a nursing home near the entrance.  You will see people coming and going that are busy doing God’s work. People from all walks of life, for a variety of reasons, enter and exit the building all day long.

As I sit in the sunshine, under a large oak tree alongside my wheelchair bound mother, we watch the people go by.  Two women, strangers before they both found themselves on a common mission, pause to speak to one another, each carrying a bagful of items, on their way to serve their moms who reside inside the building.  An x-ray technician arrives, unloads his machine for the hundredth time, and rolls it inside to clarify an awaiting medical situation.

Certified Nursing Assistant’s who arrive for and depart from their 8-hour shift of caring, give us a smile and say hello.  A car pulls in as close to the door as possible, and a frail resident gets out with the help of a friend who assists her inside. It wasn’t that long ago that this particular resident wasn’t able to walk at all.  However, with the regular visits to the physical therapy department and encouragement from her many visitors, she has improved a great deal – even though her prognosis is grim.

The nursing home bus arrives and unloads a group of residents who have been out shopping at the nearby Walmart.  They carry in their purchases with the help of the activity staff.  A stop by the activity room reveals one busy employee wrapping Christmas gifts for resident’s who are able to still collect gifts for their friends and families at Christmastime.

As we make our way into the depths of the building, we pass the gaily decorated halls, see Christmas trees at every wing, observe medicine being given out by nurses, smile at needs being met by compassionate helpers until we finally reach my mom’s room.  The quiet space and familiar setting welcomes and calms us.  The maintenance man enters to clean the heater filter and engages us in conversation.  Before long, Momma’s CNA brings in the afternoon snack.  While there, she informs the maintenance man about my mother’s ability to do handwork as seen hanging in frames on her walls. She points out the intricate work involved. I tell about my mom’s custom to make everyone in the family a special ornament that would represent a major event of the year and that I have 20 years worth of memories to hang on my tree.  As my mother listens intently to us tell about her accomplishments, she has a pleasant smile on her face.  For a lady who has advanced dementia, and is unable to speak, this is a good day.  God’s grace and mercy abound.

Thank you, God, for your loving people.

^“7 This is my command: Love each other” John 15:17 NIV.

As we all know by now, music is one of the last memories to be lost.  I meet with a small group of residents in a memory care facility and have found that the following songs, scriptures and prayer are remembered by most of the participants.  Whether you are looking for “church service” material or just want to add to the arsenal of activities you can pull out at anytime, the following are tried and true. After sharing the following with the group, one lady said with all sincerity, “Please write those words down for me, they are beautiful.” You can easily find the words online or in a hymnal.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV).

sing “Blessed Assurance”, “Jesus Loves Me”, and “Nothing But the Blood”.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  (John 14:1-3 Easy to Read Version).

sing “Amazing Grace”.

Recite “The Lord’s Prayer”.

sing “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden”.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will set your path straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NAS).

sing “I’ll Fly Away “and “The Doxology”.

Especially for Easter

sing “He Lives”, “The Old Rugged Cross” and  “Because He Lives”.