James 1:27

It dawned on me today, or better stated, God revealed to me today, why the book of James, in particular verse 1:27 (care for orphans and widows), spoke to me so much this past Fall. The first time I took a "spiritual gift" questionnaire it said my spiritual gifts were children and elderly. I wasn't all that surprised. I guess that's why I chose to work in the nursery at church and was drawn to a small group that had a nursing home ministry. I am no longer involved with the nursing home ministry, though. Something just wasn't clicking right for me and I did not feel like I was making much of an impact by showing up every other Tuesday night with food and visit with the residents for an hour or so and then leave. Today I think I realized why it wasn't a good match and what needs to change.

I'm a one-on-one kind of person. I don't like groups. I like to give and get undivided attention and there are just too many distractions in groups. Whenever I went to Highland Manor with the group from Brook Hills I spoke more to my church friends than I did the residents because that was more comfortable to me. God told me today that I need find a widow to adopt and care for. I want to find a resident at the nursing home on 119 who doesn't have family visit often and just go spend time with her, read to her, sing hymns with her if she wants to, watch a movie, have ice cream, do grocery shopping for, etc. I am going to commit to a minimum of an hour a week to spending time with her or doing something for her. That may not seem like much, but I don't even commit that much to many of my friends so it actually is a big commitment for me.

I grew up in a college town and my church was right in the middle of UF's campus and we had an "Adopt A Student" program and I think we had at least 7 students over the course of my childhood. One of which is a doctor that we still keep in touch with. I've always thought that was a great ministry and although I was adopted through a "program" while I was a college student I did have an amazing family adopt me on their own and I am forever grateful for that opportunity. So now I want to adopt a widow.

A couple in our church just recently moved there and I am going to try to get in touch with them and ask them to help place me with someone there. It's close to church and close to home so I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities for me to spend time with her. This is all very bittersweet, though, because my "poor ole grey headed grandma" (that's what she calls herself, not me) is alone in a nursing home 7 hours away and rarely gets visitors and I wish I was able to visit her more. I pray that I can provide companionship for someone like my grandma and am I'm praying for God to bring the right person in my life that He wants me to adopt!