For the Kingdom: I

My grandmother lived to be 99 years old. She was in a nursing home for care after she fell and broke her hip.

She had a roommate. She had a very special roommate. As my grandmother was slowing slipping into the presence of the Kingdom, someone was looking out for her.

I visited and helped my grandmother as much as I could. But I could not be there 24/7. Her roommate was special. Her name is Ruth. Ruth would make sure that the nurses would put an extra blanket on my grandmother. She fought for her needs and got in trouble for not minding her own business. Ruth stood firm and did what was right for someone who could not utter a word to ask for help.

I love Ruth. I feel that God has called me to make time to visit her. For someday, she too, will need someone to stand up for her. She is slowly dying of heart failure, yet she is full of heart.

Making time to visit is not always easy. I have to be intentional and make the time. Oh, and rely on the Holy Spirit who will help me!

God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them will to that God's generosity can flow through you. ...Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:10 - 11

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. James 1:27

I believe it is clear, that I (we) must stand up for those who can't, and be their help. I feel a calling to stand up for and help Ruth. Is there a Ruth in your life?

I think there are many ways to be a part of the Kingdom of God right where we are. It may be inconvenient, but we can accomplish these things in His strength and by the strength of the Holy Spirit.

For the Kingdom,

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10 Comments

mail4roseyJanuary 13, 2013 at 7:36 AM
How awesome for you, and how awesome for Ruth!
LuAnn BraleyJanuary 13, 2013 at 9:50 PM
Found you through the Let's Get Social Sunday hop. Lovely post! Good for you (and good for Ruth, too)!
theknightfiveFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:12 PM
I found your blog through the Compassion link up and was so blessed to read this post. My great grandmother also spent her final days on earth before she went to be with Jesus in a nursing home. We also had a "Ruth" come into our lives while she was there. I can't recall her real name, only that she spent her days moving herself in her wheelchair from room to room praying and crying over each person in each room. When the door was closed, she put her hand over the name plates by the door and prayed over those instead. Thank you for sharing these sweet words. My post is over at theknightfive.wordpress.com Blessings to you!
Jill FoleyFebruary 12, 2013 at 9:52 PM
I'm here through Compassion - love your post. My own grandma is 97 and in a nursing home. Unfortunately I live 2000 miles away so I don't get to see her often. But my mom...she goes to visit her every day she can and I admire her for that.

When I was growing up we had a "Ruth" - her name was Mary and we "adopted" her as our own. Every week we would go visit and every family get together included her. She will always hold a special place in my heart and I'm so thankful my mom included us in the experience of taking this woman into our lives.

My own girls are now 6 and 8. Every month we go to the local alzheimer's and dementia care facility and play our violins for the residents. My girls think this is normal and don't remember a time when we didn't do this. I just want to pass on the torch my mom passed on to me.
Morning gloryFebruary 13, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Hi, I found your blog on the Compassion blog hop and your writing is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing this story!