Being Kind, with an Assist from a Football Game

A Year of Being Kind blog – Sunday, November 9, 2014

Being Kind, with an Assist from a Football Game

This was a busy day for me. Every Sunday is full. No Sabbath rest for me, no sir! I need to find another way to take a Sabbath. But more about that in another post.

After Sunday service, a piano lesson, and a brief stop at a store, I went to visit a family at a care center. I had the opportunity to talk at length with two family members. One, in particular. A pro football game played in the background while we talked. One, or the other, or both of us would check out the game while we were in serious conversation. It was a good time. I think I might even say it was a relaxed time.

As the fourth quarter ticked down, the game heated up. The family member asked me whether I enjoyed football. Sure, I said! Except I hadn’t watched much pro football for over ten years. Probably even twenty. College ball, yes. But not pro ball. However—the game drew us both in. As I said, I had no loyalty to either team playing. But, I enjoyed a hard-fought contest! That it certainly was. Good game. Well played, by most everyone concerned, too.

Yes, I bonded with the family member before I started to really pay attention to the game. We had some deep conversation, and talked about serious matters. I very much appreciated our talk and the time we had together. However—the time where the football game took center stage? That was a different time of bonding. I did enjoy watching that game in company with both family members.

After the game, I had a time just talking with their loved one in the care center. I prayed, too. That time was special to me.

As people journey on this path through life, sometimes there are bumps. Sometimes smooth—steady as she goes. But always interesting. Always something going on, no matter how big, no matter how insignificant.

May God bless this dear family. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

 

@chaplaineliza

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Of Service, with a Vacuum (Cleaner, That Is)

A Year of Being Kind blog – Sunday, May 25, 2014

Of Service, with a Vacuum (Cleaner, That Is)

Today is (was) the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Today was also Sunday. A wonderful day, and perfectly gorgeous outside.

I worked this morning. I do enjoy leading worship and preaching, very much! I hope and pray that the service was a blessing to many people. And afterwards, I finished up watching a video this afternoon. (My thinking? All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl, indeed!) After some computer work, a few emails, and a few tweets on Twitter, my daughter and I went out to clean up the car. After all, I have a number of family members coming into town tomorrow!

One of my sisters is hosting a family reunion this week. For my part, I said I would be happy to fetch people from the airport, and drive them around town while they are here. One problem: the car needed to be cleaned out. I do this periodically, but I hadn’t done it thoroughly since last fall. Our car badly needed cleaning! Vacuuming, and general tidying up.

We have one of those do-it-yourself car washes in town. Plus, the car wash also features several heavy-duty, industrial strength vacuum cleaners. Good for clearing and cleaning out vehicles, both large and small. When I need to clean out our car, I make a beeline for this place. Accordingly, I tidied the car, cleared out all the miscellaneous junk and stuff that needed to be thrown away, and vacuumed the car.

Meanwhile, my daughter cleaned the inside windows, and the dashboard and control panel. I know we didn’t do anything like deep cleaning, but it’s amazing how nice and tidy the car looks now! And, it’s ready to pick up and drop off my family, too.

Routine maintenance, that’s one way of looking at it. Gosh, I could make an analogy out of this, without much difficulty! Regular, routine cleaning of my mind. My intellect. My emotional state. My feelings. If I tidy up mentally, from time to time, I feel better. I am more likely to be on an even keel, emotionally. Part of my mental-cleaning routine involves prayer. Meditation. Mindfulness practices. And more recently—in the past six months—I have added gentle yoga. All helpful to me!

This kind of mental, routine maintenance certainly helps me get things in order to be kind. Do acts of service. Take opportunities to be helpful. I am going to be helpful to my family! Since I ordinarily don’t have much of an opportunity to see them (most of them live out of state!), I am very glad for this chance. I am looking forward to a family-filled next few days!

@chaplaineliza

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Kindness on a Sunday? Of Course!

A Year of Being Kind blog – Sunday, May 4, 2014

Kindness on a Sunday? Of Course!

Happy Sunday! This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Sure, today was Sunday. One of my busiest days of the week, given my new position. Since I am working with a co-pastor, I did not have to preach this morning. However, I still had the responsibilities for the music and prayers at church. And, since this was the first Sunday of the month, my co-pastor and I served communion.

Wonderful service this morning! My co-pastor and I are a great team—we support each other and one picks up right where the other leaves off.

One extra special feature of today’s service: we had two visitors. Relatives of a couple in our church. There had been an extra special birthday celebration yesterday at our church. A precious, older relative had a birthday. According to the report, there were seventy people at the big party. She’s in her nineties, and she and her daughter were guests at our church this morning. Such a special occasion. Such a lovely, sweet lady.

As I know I’ve mentioned, I’ve talked in this blog before about an older friend of mine who works for a large senior citizen facility here in this suburb. She told me a few years ago, “You ought to have ‘Good with seniors’ printed on your forehead. Because, you are!” I must admit, yes, I am. It’s true. I am drawn to seniors, coming alongside of them. Talking with them, and even more important, listening to them. Really listening, and responding to them from my heart.

So after the service ended this morning, I took the opportunity to go to the two visitors. First, I talked with the daughter. I thanked her for coming to the service, and especially for bringing her mother. Then, I had the precious chance to talk with this dear senior. I got down on her level, and talked with her in her wheelchair. She was so open, and so grateful for the birthday celebration. She told me about her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren—and even great-great-grandchildren. So many of them had attended the party the day before.

I couldn’t help but ask her if I could give her a hug. She said “of course!” Her eyes started to tear up. So did mine. We hugged, I smiled at her again, and she even asked me for another hug. I had the sudden feeling that I could please God (not to mention this sweet lady), and so I prayed with her briefly. She was so happy at that! She sincerely blessed me. I appreciate her blessing so much.

God, bless this dear senior, and bless her whole family. Draw the many family members together in love, support, and mutual encouragement. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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Render Service, Express Love

A Year of Being Kind blog – Sunday, March 9, 2014

Render Service, Express Love

I enjoy preaching—in fact, I love it! I have for more than ten years. But how did I start preaching to begin with? I’ll need to go back to spring of 2003, when I was chosen to be one of the chaplain interns at a large senior residence (with full continuum of care) in the suburbs north of Chicago. The director of chaplaincy was very pleased to have me as an intern starting that fall, but he cautioned me. I would need to take a course in preaching, that summer, if possible. Why, you ask? Because the chaplain interns had regular preaching responsibilities in the weekly Sunday morning health care services as well as the weekly Wednesday afternoon Hymns and Devotions. I preached over forty sermons in those thirteen months I served as a chaplain intern. (!!)

In retrospect, it really was no surprise that I found I loved preaching. I enjoyed poring over the Scripture passage, praying for inspiration on what direction the sermon ought to take, carefully crafting the message like the wordsmith that I am. And then, the delivery? That’s awesome, too! When I lead in worship, I use many of the gifts and graces God has given me. (More, if I prepare the bulletin, plan the order of worship, and play either piano or organ.) And, I get a strong sense that God is deeply pleased with me and my service.

I served again, today. I was asked to preach and lead worship at two retirement homes in Chicago. I feel a real tenderness and affection for these dear seniors. I’ve been preaching at both places about once a month for approximately two years now. Seeing these dear people on a fairly regular basis cements the warm, loving feelings in my heart. Yes, there is some change of residents, and some people who are doing rehab or are at the residences for only a period of time. But by and large, many of them continue to attend the Sunday morning services each week.

Today, as I spoke to one lovely senior after the service, she told me she had been praying for me. (I was so touched! Imagine!) For several months, she had been praying for God to find an extra-good place for me to serve and minister. I teared up a bit and thanked her with overflowing gratitude in my heart. As we stood side by side, she said, “I love you,” and leaned her head towards mine. My response? “Oh, I love you, too!” I leaned my head towards her, too. We stood next to each other, gently being with each other for a few long seconds.

Intellectually, I know that my ministry touches hearts and minds. But today was extra-special. Yes, my sermon was good. (I had great material to work with—the raising of Lazarus!) This touching exchange with this extra-dear senior will stay with me, for a long time. God, I am amazed at how wonderful ministry to Your people truly is. Thank You for the opportunity and the calling to minister.

@chaplaineliza

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