Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, and endures all things… love never fails.
God’s greatest commandment is to love, love never, ever fails-----there is no measure, gauge, or bar that allows us to discontinue love for one another.
Yet, in this society so many of the helpless are being put
away and not cared for by their families due to a debilitating health
issue—that leaves them helpless and alone.
As Christians, we all need to go against the societal
evolution to shut people with health problems away in facilities where yes, in
most places they are cleaned, fed, medicated, and somewhat cared for, but what
is lacking in their lives is love, family bond, family connection---which
having seen first hand is in so many cases these gifts from God react, they
feel the presence of family members.
As followers of Jesus we cannot believe these people do not
feel our love, compassion and care---in most cases if there is a warm hand
there is a spirit that still feels our love resonate through their souls. What are we if we cannot show complete unreserved
love to those in need?
Having seen first hand evidence of this bond through our
recovery journey with our daughter Katherine and recently while he did not recover,
with my beloved Dad, the story of a girl we will call Rose is on my heart to
share.
When Katherine was reluctantly placed in a pediatric sub-acute
facility, due to a heartbreaking vehicle accident, the nearest one available
was just less than 200 miles away from our home. Never-the-less, the Holy Spirit
placed in our hearts that one member of the family would be with her
daily. My husband and I took turns,
being there daily. We could not in our
hearts let her alone, which thankfully for an abundant reasons our presence was
imperative.
One of Katherine’s roommates was Rose, a girl of 17,
Katherine’s age at the time. I have no
information on what happened, that is of no importance. But she had a pink princess television, toys,
make-up and lots of material items surrounding her. Like so many in this facility she just laid in
her bed, never acknowledging anyone, her face stared straight ahead never
moving just laying there alive but not showing any life.
Shockingly one morning upon entering the room, Rose was
sitting up in bed with a huge smile on her face, and grunting (her special
language) she had a visitor, her aunt.
Rose was like a new girl, she showed spirit, I wanted to say something
to the aunt but thought it wiser to just observe. The aunt left, Rose went stone faced again,
back to just existing of having any spirit.
The second time Rose showed a little sass, my family will
tell you I can bring out the sass in anyone.
Rose had a princess pink television blasting constantly in the
room. One day it was out of hand so I
turned it down, my back was turned talking to Katherine and I heard a groan and
the bed rails shake. Little immovable
Rose had flailed her legs and body at me.
I turned the television volume up and apologized. But there was that spirit again.
Showing and expressing love we cannot see how it is
affecting others, but they do receive and feel.
Love is such a strong force; strangers no matter how good they are at
their job cannot love like family. There
is a bond God has made. In some cases as
in ours for Katherine, for a long time all we could was show her love, all we
could do is love her. We were so blessed
to at least have that.
If there is a warm hand---that means life---if there is life
there is hope---as Christians never give up the hope that a loved one can feel
your love---it is a mighty force to be reckoned with----remember God does not
set a standard when he will discontinue loving us, and God never, ever stops
providing and caring for us. Secular
society will say otherwise, but we are not of the world we are of Christ.
Mother Judith
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