March 13, 2023

Dear Ones,

Hope you had a good weekend with 9″ of new snow! It was nice to be able to stay inside. This morning I did food prep and soon going to Aldi’s and my exercise class. I have errands to do this afternoon as Al will have the car tomorrow.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

  I believe often we learn the most from those who can’t give back; like when we find ourselves doing something out of love for the Lord and not for any payback we may get. Jesus said in Matt. 5:8, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” When our actions are without thought of being noticed or what good will come to us, but simply for the Lord, we are drawn closer to Him and see Him through eyes of love.

   Recently, I read a story by Rebecca Manley Pippert as she tells the story of a young nurse who was caring for a patient, Eileen, who had no control over her body and unconscious due to a cerebral aneurysm. She had to turn her every hour and feed her through a stomach tube etc. and another nurse told her that you just have to detach yourself emotionally from the whole situation.

  But the student nurse decided she to treat her kindly and talked to her, sang to her and even brought her little gifts. On Thanksgiving she told her, “I was in a cruddy mood this morning, Eileen, because it was suppose to be my day off. But now that I’m here, I’m glad. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss seeing you on Thanksgiving Day. Do you know this is Thanksgiving?”

  The phone rang then and when the nurse turned toward Eileen she noticed she was shaking and crying and it was the first emotion she had showed. It changed the attitude of all the staff towards her for they now knew she heard and understood. And it changed the young nurse as she said she might not otherwise have known what it is like to give to someone who can’t give back.

  This story struck me especially as my cousin’s granddaughter died last week and Jensyn was only 6 years old. She had never walked or talked or fed herself and her rare condition was such that she had to have constant care. She spent as much time in the hospital as she did at home. But she was loved dearly by her parents and 7 siblings and relatives and friends. I think perhaps she also taught all those around her about selfless giving to those who can’t give back. I know I have been touched each time I have observed the loving care her family gave her.

   Challenge for today: Reflect on, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and, with the help of God, I will do!  (Everette Hale)