Two Men and A Difference

Two men. They were roommates in a nursing home, each on their own bed, each neglected and alone. Our time before we had to leave was running short so there was so little I could do, but these men I will never forget.

The first man was sitting on his bed, still able to walk, maybe in his late 60’s. While he was able to move, he did not because he had nowhere to go. His face was filled with hopelessness. When I pulled off his shoes, there were strings and layers of filth between his toes and sticking his feet to his socks because he had left them uncared for, for so long. They were dry and looked painful. We were out of time to even wash any more feet so I quickly covered them in Vaseline, replaced his shoes, and offered a smile before moving to the last bed.

In this bed there was a man who could barely move, maybe in his 80’s or 90’s. His legs no longer worked and it was unclear when he had last been seen to. Some of his teeth had fallen out and he was moving them around in his mouth with his tongue. But the second you saw him, you were drawn to a light in his whole face. When asked if he needed anything he said no, but that he was very happy because soon he would see Jesus.

This to me is the difference I will never forget between those with and without Christ. Both men had no family to see them, lived in a place with little care, and were in bad shape physically in some way. The first had capabilities and independence. The second could not leave his bed. But one was alone, and the other was not.

I wished I did not have to leave that day, that we could do more than the quick prayers we said over them and offering the smallest of cares, but there were many men and women that day, and many rooms. Some days there was more time to sit, sing, and minister, but others all you could do was give care and plant seeds. This day was a day where instead of being able to impact them, I was impacted in a way that will live in my heart until my time comes.

Jeramiah 29:11 NLT

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”