Yesterday afternoon, Ella and I went to Lakeshore Nursing Home to do their Sunday afternoon church service. Scott Owings went with us too. I talked to them about "hope". Many of them had a sparkle in their eyes. In some of them you could see the hearts and minds of a 30 year old trapped by the aging body of a 90 year old. These men and women know what it is to hope in something bigger than themselves.
On the way, Ella told me she was so excited to read the Bible and talk to them. For a split second I worried about whether they would feel weird about the whole male/female thing in leadership. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with our idiosyncrasies, it's a debate in some churches over how much women can participate in leadership. Yes...it's dumb.) I just decided to see how things went.
During the service Ella came over and sang "God is so Good" with me. Afterwards she seemed disappointed. She told me that she was sad that she didn't get to read the Bible to them...which was unintentional and more about the fact that she can't actually READ yet. :)
After the service it was time to take communion to the different rooms and floors to people who couldn't make it to the service. Ella carried the bread (she calls it "peace") and would give each person a piece of it and then hand them the cup. These men and women seemed so touched and blessed by her. She giggled with delight from room to room saying, "This is so cool!" As we entered the rooms Ella would cheerfully say, "HELLO!". She placed her hand on each person as we prayed for them and then would wave on the way out. It might have been one of my favorite experiences in a long time.
We left Lakeshore and I took Ella on a "daddy date". We went over to Hillsboro Village to a neat little French bakery called "Provence". We had a nice chocolate tart and walked down to one of our favorite eclectic stores called "Pangea". We had a blast!
The love relationship I share with my kids is beyond anything I could ever put into words. They are such a blessing. It only emphasizes to me how much God must love His children. Whether you're 4 years old like Ella, or 90 years old like Mr. Hooper, we are all God's children, dearly loved. This Hope does not disappoint.
10 comments:
1 John 3:1 is one of my current favorites -- love the imagery of 'lavished' love. God isn't chintzy with our love, He lavishes it on us. Indeed.
What a wonderful ministry you and Ella took part in. You'll have to teach her something she can memorize (Ephesians 3:14-21 is something I'm reading every day right now -- wouldn't that be AWESOME to hear a 4 year old speak that over some 90-year-olds?? :-) and "read" next time!
Doesn't "age of accountability" negate whether or not you are actually of any gender? :-) For instance, as a woman, it's okay for me to teach boys, until they reach the "age of accountability", right?
some of the best memories I have are when my dad would wake me up in the morning and inform me that we were going on a daddy/daughter date! (sometimes that even meant not going to school) My dad traveled a lot when I was young, so those times were special. Even though I am married and older, we still go on a daddy/daughter date every once in a while.
Sarah--please tell me you're kidding. :)
Kara--that must be why you turned out to be such an awesome person!
Just beautiful, brother.
Lately we've been really going through it with the boy. 6 years old is NOT my favorite age. You've got me wondering if there isn't some service that he could be doing that we teach us both some things.
Thanks for the idea.
This was a most excellent post, Brandon. Thank you so much for sharing. By the way, yesterday I taught on John 2 in the high school class at Highland - coed. Apparently we're over that whole issue. Thank You God!
I love that kid. She has such a sweet spirit about her, and she always knows when even the adults around her need some mothering. I also love how she wears her food- got lots of Ella pictures like that.
I've heard Sarah's "logic" before. Not a comment on you, Sarah, just that logic.
I can't wait for someone at Otter Creek to take their daughter up with them at the Communion and have her read a Scripture or speak.
I don't think it's a coincidence that you found yourself at a circus on the anniversary of your dad's death or at a nursing home with Ella shortly thereafter. If I believed in reincarnation, I might be tempted to say that donkey's name was Sam!!!! HA! Isn't life interesting?
I miss that sweet little pixie... Sigh... :) Shmee
No, I'm not entirely kidding, but, with Phil, making a comment on the "logic" behind those thoughts.
My actual point is/was that if any of those folks would have THOUGHT that they had a problem with the whole male/female issue, Ella's cuteness would have made them forget it, thus they would have been able to come up with such grand reasoning as the whole "age of accountability" issue. And the entire phrase just makes me laugh. I think it's a whole idea that a) thankfully, we don't hear much about any more and b) desperately needed re-thinking for a long time.
Okay, on my blog I proclaimed to "not let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth". Does this count?
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