Devotional for September 19, 2024

A “Hart”felt Goodbye
by Julie Hart

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Dear readers and friends,

Today I come not with a devotional, but as a heartfelt goodbye. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for traveling with me on my faith journey. You have inspired me to write from my heart about the ways in which I see God in the world. For me, writing these weekly devotions has been a part of my spiritual practices that have brought me closer to God, and to you. I am humbled by the time that you have taken to read what I have written. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As seasons go, I find myself entering a new season of my life. Next week, I will begin working in a new mission field called “The Grove.” It is the memory care area at Las Ventanas, a retirement home close to the church. As I prepare to begin work with this new population, Proverbs 16:31 comes to mind: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”

I have been given the opportunity to provide compassionate care, prayer, and friendship to elderly people who are in a confusing and isolating season of their lives. No, I will not be serving in the church. But yes, I will be serving God! I trust that The Fruit of the Spirit that has been nurtured here at Desert Spring will show up at The Grove in exciting and powerful ways.

I will have the chance to show them love. Though they may not recognize me, their loved ones, or even themselves, I believe that they will recognize God through me.
I look forward to bringing them great joy! I pray that God’s light will shine so brightly through me when I enter their space, that it will tap into the deep joy that is within each of them.

I hope that the peace that comes from my gratitude and trust in God will also give them a sense of peace when they feel frightened or disoriented.
I will rely on God to give me patience as I learn how to be present in their lives.
I will always be looking for ways I can show kindness to them, through words, touch, and just sitting with them.
I will pray each day for the goodness to not just recognize their needs, but to advocate for them to be met.
My faithfulness to them will look like me praying for and with them, listening to their needs and concerns, encouraging them to engage in activities that are nostalgic and comforting.
Finally, I pray that my gentleness will help them to feel valued, cherished, and important, reminding them that they are all beloved children of God, beautiful to behold.

None of this would be possible were it not for the nurturing that I have received while serving on staff at Desert Spring. It is because of you that I will be able to bless them. So you are a part of this journey too! For many years, I have been swimming with you in the River of Grace at Desert Spring. And it has been so so good. But, as we all know, there are others who thirst for that grace…

In 1 John 4:19, we are reminded that “We love because he first loved us.”

PRAYER:
Dear loving, faithful, and grace-filled God. Please bless the residents of The Grove, and all those who suffer from dementia, and their families. Help each of us find ways to show your love to them. Amen.

With a heart full of gratitude, I bid you farewell.
Much love, julie 🙂