Hope

Yesterday I took Hope out applying for jobs at nursing homes. The first one we went to was plush and cozy, all the staffers were very friendly and helpful. They were hiring for housekeeping. The second nursing home was quite different. It was an old high rise. The main room was dark, dank, and unkempt. They weren't hiring for housekeeping but looked like they could sure use it. The people were quite different as well. Not only were the staff rough and cranky, but the residents seemed more so. Hope applied for a dietary aide position there.

As she filled out the application, I observed a very angry, mean resident down the hall talking (or rather shouting) to the nurse. He was unhappy about something and went on about the conditions and treatment of this "home." As the nurse wheeled him to the elevator I'll never forget what he said... "I wish to God that I were dead..."

I've heard people say this kind of thing before. But the way he said it... he meant it. Immediately after those words came from his mouth my spirit sank. My heart broke for this old man. I still can't seem to get him out of my mind.

So if you would now, just say a prayer for this man... that the pain, the ill treatment, the anger, the bitterness... will be replaced with joy, love, and hope, that Jesus will open his eyes to His love and forgiveness and peace, that he'd have a reason to live, and the only reason he would ever wish to depart from this world is to be with Jesus in his heavenly home. He needs Hope. He needs Jesus.

Hope finished filling out the application, and as we got up to leave the man's words were still resonating in my head. Just as I was about to leave feeling the utter hopelessness the man ascribed to this place, an elderly woman gave me the sweetest biggest smile as if the Lord were using her to encourage me that there is HOPE.

Then Hope and I walked out together and went home.