Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15
When we started attending our church in 2006, we sat in the second to last row. The building wasn't real big so we could sit in the back and still feel close enough to pay good attention. Addan was a young toddler so we chose to sit there so we could slip out if he needed attention to help him sit well. I was also close to having Titus and since we don't put our babies in the nursery, this was also a good location to slip out with a fussy baby and not be too distracting.
The senior saints of the church sat in the very last row, the row right behind us. This was great! Our boys got to know many of the older people of our church family. They encouraged us and we tried to be of encouragement to them! Addan still has a special bond with one of the women. She brings him stickers and goodies often.
One of the seniors, Mrs Elliot, had knee surgery a couple weeks ago. I went to visit her a few days after the surgery but she was busy with a procedure so I wasn't able to visit her. It ends up, she had a heart attack from the surgery and that's what they were dealing with when I went that time.
Mark and I went shortly after and Mrs Elliot was sound asleep so we didn't visit her. She looked so different,, so helpless and tired.
I went again last week to see her. Her husband kept saying how she wanted me to see her and how she kept my card by her bed. (The simple things I think lightly of can mean so much to people!) I went in to see Mrs Elliot in the afternoon, and again, she was sound asleep. I saw her nurse, and the nurse said to come closer to lunch because she sleeps in the afternoons.
Mr Elliot told me Sunday, to wake her up! Don't let her sleep all afternoon,, go in this week and see her again and DON'T let her sleep. So, I hoped to go see Mrs Elliot this week.
I won't get that chance. Mrs Elliot went to be with Jesus early this morning! I was so sad I didn't wake her but so happy that she's in a better place. Safe in the arms of Jesus. That sound has been in my head all day. Poor Mr Elliot, as he journeys the rest of his time on earth without his dear wife!
Thank you, Tammy~
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful tribute to Mrs. Elliot, and testimony to the Lord and for the Lord.
We, senior saints, do appreciate young people caring about us. In some churches, senior saints are the forgotten.
I remember when I was in my 30s, back in Clinton, when one of the seniors of the church commented to me about 'feeling like that'. I took it to heart and the Lord gave me the grace to care about the seniors from that time on. There has been great reward in visiting with seniors; so much to be learned about a time I never knew; and, sometimes, seniors can be fun, too. :O) Now, I'm at the beginning of that place, but still visiting my elder seniors. In fact, we go today to visit two ladies who are convalescing.
James 1:27, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
Lord's blessing on your day.