“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27
I love Old Towne Orange. Having attended elementary school there during the 1950’s, it holds a special place in my heart and remains much as it did when I was a kid. Strangely, one lingering memory of those days stays with me.
When school let out, I’d head down Glassell Street to Watson’s Drug Store for a Nesbitt’s soda or Hershey bar, about a ten-minute walk. Lining the street on both sides were old Craftsman’s homes, built in the 1920’s, featuring hip roof, gables and wraparound porches.
Shuffling by with my brothers and friends, we would see the elderly looking out a window or sitting motionless on the porch. They all seemed very old and sad to us, staring at passer-by’s and the slow-moving traffic. It felt a little spooky to us. The houses dark and musty. Yards overgrown. Shades drawn on most windows. An eerie silence. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how lonely they all were. I learned recently over 75% of senior citizens often feel alone, isolated, and unwanted.
I remember visiting the elderly in assisted living homes with my friend Tom 20 years ago. He carried a heart of gold and spoke to them with such tenderness and love. I need to reach out to these folks again. How about you? Is there someone older in your family or neighborhood, who needs a visit, a kind word, a hug? Someone whom you suspect is very lonely?
The loneliness of the elderly is beautifully expressed in the following poem, written by Theresa Meyer.
Waiting
I watch from my window day after day
For someone may come to my door and say,
“I was just passing by on my way to the store,
I really meant to have called before.”
“Oh, do come in and sit awhile!”
“Yes,” she answers with a friendly smile.
“Perhaps a warm drink and a little chat?
Won’t you sit down? I’ll take your hat.”
I set the tray with special care
Then tidy my apron and smooth my hair.
“What you’ve done to this house is such a delight.
And the flowers in your garden are a lovely sight.”
She sips her drink and smiles at me,
As warm and friendly as she can be.
We talk for awhile, then she has to leave.
I feel the urge to tug at her sleeve.
“Perhaps you could stay a wee bit more?”
But smiling she makes her way to the door.
“Thank you for coming, now do take care.”
Then I set the tray down by the empty chair.
I watch from my window and hear myself say,
“Perhaps this will really happen today.”
Prayer Needs This Week….
- Healing – Cynthia Schorr’s sister, Patty Tacklind’s dad, Kelly Viszolay, Julie R.
- Upcoming Church retreat at St. Andrew’s Abbey
- Artists in town preparing for summer festivals
- Pastors, Elders, Spouses, Deacons
- Our Worship teams
- Men’s Upper Room facilitated by Jeff
- Chris Lins new Friday study
Final Thought From J. Rufus Moseley: “Every day it becomes better to live in Christ and more perilous to live outside of Him.”
Pastor Jay