Prison

Several years ago I came across a little piece of paper that made its way into my recipe box, on one side was a recipe on the other a verse was printed...Hebrews 13:3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

I tucked that piece of paper in my Bible -- I bet it has been there for three years or more -- and I have been wondering - what did this verse have to do with my life?

I didn't see visiting a prison in my near future, since there are really none in my area.

Who knew that God would have me visiting the nursing home every month... not that I see it as a prison. It is a lovely place, the residents seem happy and well cared for at this particular nursing home.

It is a fact that the freedom that they once enjoyed is no longer. They don't choose when they wake in the morning, what time they eat or when they go to bed at night. All of that is pre-determined by the daily schedule. They can't leave, go for a walk on their own or sneak a snack from the fridge.

When I met Holly last week I saw with my own eyes the worst kind of prison. This prison in which there is no escape. Suffering from Huntington's Disease, Holly is a woman trapped in a body that she has no control over. She has no ability to move and her ability to speak is slowly, painfully being taken away. Her mind is held prisoner within a convulsing body that never stops moving. And the worst of it is she has no hope of recovery.

This morning as I read my Bible I came across this little piece of paper yet again, today I finally understood what the Lord meant. He has led me to someone who is in prison... not the kind of prison that I was thinking of... one much worse.

I can only imagine the prison in which Holly lives. The long days that she endures... the physical exhaustion and pain... depression... loneliness.

What can I do for her, how can I ease her suffering? I can pray for her as I imagine myself in those chains... that God will bring comfort to her mind and spirit through out her long days. I can visit her, paint her nails, read to her, talk with her, make her smile and laugh and tell her about Jesus ... the one who saves, heals, extends grace and has love never ending... the one who waits for her in a place called Heaven, where there is so suffering or pain.

Lord make me Your light in this dark place.

Nursing Home Visit

Every month a group of teens and I go to a local nursing home to give the ladies there a little nail salon.

To be honest this morning I did not want to go -- I could have easily stayed in bed, lounged around in my jammies and drank some tea. But a woman who likes to honor my commitments... off I went to chat with the residents and paint nails. Funny how I ended up painting the resident's nails -- I don't even bother to paint mine.

They so enjoy picking out their polish color -- some love red and the dark colors -- others the soft pinks -- funny how the colors they choose seem to match their personalities.

Some chat and enjoy our company. Others suffering with dementia who are confused and even sometimes afraid. Some suffering with uncontrollable shaking, one thing that always strikes me is that while I hold their hands in mine during the simple act of painting their nails all shaking stops. Amazing the power of touch!

Today there was a woman -- who to be honest I've tried to avoid over the past several months. She is bedridden and come to the salon in a rolling bed. She jerks a spasms uncontrollably, to be honest it is a frighting sight. Today was our day to meet - she was the next in line-- plain and simple. It took two of us - Between Hannah and I and we were nervous at first. Hannah managed to hold her steady while I painted her nails, bright valentine red!

I found out that her name is Holly, the nurse mentioned that they call her "Jolly Holly". I didn't quite know how to talk with Holly -- it wasn't clear that she could even speak. So I chattered on about her nails, her outfit her smile. All through out our visit a smile never left her face. I noticed for the first time how beautiful her blue eyes where and I told her so. Then through a smile came these garbled words 'thank you'. I realized at that moment that she had completely understood all of my chattering and there was much more within Holly and I had almost missed it out of fear.

I am home this afternoon and I can't stop thinking about Holly. She seemed younger than the other ladies. I wonder how old she is? Does she have family that comes to visit? Has she always been this way, shaking uncontrollably? What is she thinking? What is her favorite color? Her favorite foods? How hard must it be for her to even eat. Who is the woman within that shaking convulsing body. Does she know Jesus? I wonder if she would like to look through my picture Bible together?

And to think this sweetheart of a woman I've been avoiding... too shocked by her outward appearance to look within to notice her beautiful blue eyes and the beautiful person that lies within. The person who my be crying out to know Jesus but no one can hear her.

I know where I am taking my light -- thank you Lord for opening my eyes! :)

A Flicker

Well it's a new year ... a new decade ... time for some new things.

I have a goal for this year, this decade, this life... to shine...shine my little light... for Jesus. I don't think I've been doing that well at shining... this year I want to shine brighter, longer, stronger.

So this begins a year of daily challenges - I am go to challenge myself everyday to find someway, to shine everyday of my ordinary, my very ordinary life. What better way to keep track than something new .. a blog!

I live the life of a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a secretary, a volunteer - that pretty much sums it up. ORDINARY Not sure of that is good or bad... we'll find out.

Last night as I flipped through a new devotional. I said out loud, "Lord I sad and discouraged, please talk to me." I opened to this scripture looking me in the face. "No one after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light." Luke 11:33

So out of the cellar, the closet, out from under the basket I come! I will take my little flicker of a light and place it on a lampstand for all to see.

So this year I am giving myself a challenge -- to shine-- in prayer, in attitude, in words and in actions. To family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, the world... so here we go Blog World... it time to Shine.

To Him who is the light within me! Jesus!

D