Sharing our gifts - LPNI
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Sharing our gifts
LPNI Health Topic -- July 2019
Sharing our gifts
Read: Genesis 1:26-27 and Romans 12:4-8
We are truly blest to be a blessing! These two scriptures tell us that our Lord created us in his image … and encourages us to share our gifts with others.
Just do it! This has been a volunteer mantra forever, and many spend their life going from cause to cause as our community requests. This month would be an excellent time to include service as part of our routine. The reasons are many and can be part of our faith growth in sharing ourselves with others. We have something for everyone in every community and every lifestyle. Service at our church and school is a wonderful way to grow in our own faith while helping others in need. We can:
share our love for Jesus!
experience personal satisfaction that we can make a difference!
find we are more connected to others as we live a lifestyle Jesus called us to!
witness to our family and friends as we show a positive role model!
Now, you may be thinking: ‘What does this have to do with health ministry?’ In the rush of activ/ities that we all are doing, it can be overwhelmingly caring for physical ills questions and support. Our ministry is to the whole person, body, mind and spirit. As our congregations are seeing more and more ageing issues that are not just physical, I have recently begun to focus on increasing awareness of the mental and spiritual aspect as I work with our families.
If you have a few minutes to spare in your day, or on your daily walk about, be sure to start your venture with a prayer and ask our Lord to enable you to be a blessing! Make a list of things you can do with your gifts, knowledge, and abilities!
I have found that playing hymns on the piano while visiting my mother at the assisted-living home gathers folks together, and before long we have a beautiful choir singing praises to God. Another time I was walking with my mom as she learned to manipulate a wheelchair after a fall, and before long there were three others walking along with us! The next time I came, the group was ready, and we wheeled around the halls, out to the courtyard, and came back to the commons, to cheers from the staff and others, as well as getting a treat and lemonade.
A simple act and everyone was smiling and it was the ‘best walk we ever went on’, according to another wheelchair buddy. His comment: ‘If life gives you sour lemons, we know how to turn them into lemonade!’ The staff commented that so many sedentary residents were smiling and talking with others and even taking more walks, and the daily 4:00 pm walking group had begun to be a more populated activity! I was amazed. Even my mother was ready for a daily courtyard walk in the wheelchair parade without prodding today!
I played a rendition of ‘Jesus loves me’ on the piano during the Sunday worship offering recently, and suddenly I heard voices singing! At first it was very quiet, but very soon it became a beautiful impromptu choir that gave me shivers of joy! Our hearts are always full of ‘gifts’ we have. Reach out, give of yourself, get joy in return!
We have a school associated with our church with ages 3 through 8th grade. The older students are book buddies to the younger pre-school children, and read together twice a week. It has created such a bonding among the students, and they are becoming more outgoing and seeing other ways to work together throughout the week.
Many activities at church can include older members who feel they are past being able to help. I have given some hints to a few about how much a mom is missing having her deployed husband available to help with the young ones, and soon the pew has a ‘grandma’ or ‘grandpa’ sitting with them, with a soft book or coloring page from the bulletin, and the mom can enjoy listening to the service. Our coffee time after service has a continuation of this service outreach with the youngsters now wanting to sit with their pew partner and share snacks. The senior generation is beaming and the young ones are reaching out without realizing the wonderful joy they are bringing to our seniors. Recently I watched as two kindergarteners who have always been very busy and hard to control walking among the older attendees at Bible study with a dish of cookies and fruit to make sure they get seconds! Sharing ... volunteering ... showing God’s love!!
We are going to make back pack tags for our school-age kids this August, along with a blessing of the back packs when school starts. One of my ‘gramma’ helpers has added another idea to make notes for the back packs during the year at special times, and has already started the idea rolling with a few of her friends. This is truly God at work in us, no matter what our age may be.
Let’s make serving and volunteering activities a growing way to help all our folks become more aware of ways God has given to grow as children of God no matter our age or ability.
Cynthia Rutan, RN, Parish Nurse, Peace Lutheran, Bremerton WA USA
LCMS Northwest District Parish Nurse Representative