September 1, 2025
Another week, another day and another afternoon at the care home, feeling very unsure of any difference we’re making as Sue and I show up again to sit and chat with the elderly folks!
We arrive, trying to drop every agenda, giving room for anything, everything, something or nothing and doing our best to trust Jesus with that process, but more often than not, it feels much easier said than done! It’s often too hard to know if there is any real need we can meet, but still, we make ourselves available and simply show up regardless of any other expectation.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
So, after we sign in and receive our instructions from the house Manager to visit certain folk on a certain suite in the house, off we go knocking doors, checking in to see who would like some time spent with them. We love to chat, get to know those we’re visiting and have a little fun along the way, but this particular day, when we were walking the corridors, Sue noticed one dear old lady in her room, struggling to physically bandage a plaster on her feet, so we stopped and asked if we could help. All of my hesitations quickly kicked in as I wrestled with the shortfalls of my OCD, but no hesitations on Sue’s part!
Without a second thought, she was on her knees, plastering this frail old lady’s feet, offering a little TLC at a time when there was no one else around. Oh, how I saw Jesus in my colleague right there and then, feeling a little like a failure and a spare part, whilst my humanity got the better of me, but then right out of nowhere, whilst Sue was assisting Irene, another lady who seemed riddled with anxiety came directly to me and asked if she could speak with me.
Normally, Sue and I don’t separate for professional reasons, but this instance called for a quick risk assessment and a quick decision to meet some deeper needs, so I left Sue to care for Irene’s feet, and I walked with Annie, who invited me into her room. With the door left wide open so Sue could find us, we sat on the edge of her bed as she poured out her hopes and fears.
It was obvious Annie was feeling tormented with fear by the way she gripped my hand and asked for help. I offered some understanding of what she was going through, sharing something of my own story and struggles with OCD. I suddenly realised the irony of believing that my hesitations with Irene had disqualified me from ministering, leaving Sue to do the legwork (literally), but God, in His great mercy, alternatively set up a way to use my weakness in a very different moment for the benefit of someone else struggling with a very similar thing. Only God in His great Kindness could do such a thing! Annie wanted the hope I shared, and asked how she, too, could have a relationship with this Jesus, who brings the peace I was speaking about.
A little time later, it was our privilege to lead Annie in prayer through to an acknowledgement of her need for a Saviour, deliverer and friend. By the time we reached ‘Amen’, Annie’s expression shone, and her smile took over her whole face. We saw the Lord being so gracious to her in that moment, shining His own face upon her as He turned towards her and gave her peace.
Never again would I question if God was doing anything, something or nothing by just showing up and being available week after week, reminded again so blatantly that Jesus came for the one as well as the million!
September 1, 2025
