Are there people in our lives that we are missing the chance to love?
Is there someone who may need our time, friendship, encouragement, a listening ear, or a helping hand?
Recently, Val, my neighbour and friend, passed from this life to her heavenly home. She certainly was one who qualified for all the above. Her short stay in hospital and shorter stay at the lovely Hospice house, was more or less expected.
Yet, facing the finality of death is never easy for family or friends. But, death is an excellent reminder of life — that life truly is a gift!
Val and I had been neighbours for several years, living close by on the same street, yet our friendship only began the first Christmas season after Nel's passing.
I heard that Val had taken a nasty fall on the ice, fracturing her hip. With Christmas just around the corner, I knew special baking would not be on her to do list that year. Soon a mixture of Christmas goodies, my Atlantic Chowder and Mile High Biscuits found their way to her door.
At that time, during my intense grief, I needed to focus on helping others, in order to find the purpose of each lonely day before me. I had already offered my help to serve dinner at the Salvation Army on Christmas Day. Val's husband was dealing with dementia at that time, adding to her concerns.
Val and I soon found we shared a strong bond of faith. We also shared February birthdays with the same age number.
Now beginning to feel comfortable with me, Val realized she could call me late at night if an urgent need arose, to ask for prayer, or to have me run a simple an errand.
Yet, at no time did I feel she took advantage of my kindness and availability, often reciprocating in loving and generous ways. I was grateful to accompany her the day she was transitioning her husband to a new care facility.
Later, after his death, I visited the local cemetery with Val as she needed to choose the final resting place for her beloved. Members of her family, being conspicuous by their absence seemed to have left the difficult task to Mother, alone.
As time passed, Val's failing strength with multiple health issues, saw her having to forfeit her driver's licence and soon, much of her mobility.
Her perseverance, courage and steadfastness, as she mastered each day, was admirable!
Often in our darkest and most difficult moments of life, the assurance of His loving Presence gives us confidence that we are not alone.
Val, so aware of this would often say, "My help comes from the Lord. I could never make it through a day without Him!"
Sometimes during a phone call, as she told through tears of her extra-hard day, ending with a prayer would often give her renewed hope. Once, I took by a pretty, blossoming house plant, attaching the following scripture verse printed on an index card. Those words became very precious and strengthening to her.
At one of my hospital visits, she asked me to bring her the card she had left at home on her dining table. It read: "So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41: 10).
Have you ever felt, regarding your relationship with someone, that you only got the "crumbs of their time?"
Today, in our action-oriented world, it's tough to find someone, who can and will, respond to our invitation to "sit a spell" with us. Consequently, we can neglect the needs of others, even those who are closest to us. I can still hear Val say, from time to time, "I would like them to come and just sit with me for awhile."
Maybe our quiet presence is all that's needed to help that someone through a difficult situation. I believe, when we give away what the Lord has given us, He is honoured, others are helped, and we are blessed.
It may only be a small portion of "our time." When I took that chowder to my neighbour's door, nearly nine long years ago, I had no idea the agenda God already had in place for me.
A reminder in Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
My prayer is —Teach us Lord, to see people as You do —bearing Your image, worthy of Your love and needing Your care. Use us! Amen.
— beulah
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