New Years Resolutions

Most New Year's Resolutions are made for the purpose of making oneself better. There are many ways to accomplish being better on some personal level. Let me suggest something that can be done that will certainly help anyone to feel better about themselves. Resolve to do things that will make others feel better. Who do you know that you can help on a regular basis?

Sherri and I have been going to see two older couples who are members of our church. One of the male spouses has Alzheimer’s and is in a nursing home. The other male spouse is still at home and at the least has some form of dementia. He and his wife do come to church when they can. He has a breathing problem and is limited in what he is able to do. I enjoy going to see these lovely people. The men, of course, never remember me. Even when I’m talking to them they ask me several times where I lived, if I have any children and how many grandkids I have. They both tell me the same stories over and over. They both still have a sense of humor so I can joke and get a laugh out of them. Their wives seem to appreciate our visits. Sherri talks to them while I talk to the men. We stay and visit for  about an hour. We always enjoy those visits.

Today Sherri and I went down to Elizabethtown, Kentucky to see our dear friends from way back in the ‘70's. Our friend Gary has Alzheimer’s. Each time we go to visit we wonder if he will still know us. He did know us this time, but we could tell that he is declining. Back at the beginning of his disease he told his grandchildren that one day he would not remember who they are, but they would remember who he is. He said please continue to come and see me even though I won’t know you. A person will never get to a point that they don’t want someone to acknowledge them by paying them a visit.

I happen to know that visiting people who are ill, and not as active as they once were receive great joy from our visits or even a phone call. I also happen to know that going to see people like this even if it is only for an hour a couple times a month will give you great joy, and make you proud of yourself that you have helped lift someone’s spirits. Whatever we do for others is just as if we have done it for our Lord.