It all matters <3

I am sitting here with my head full of velcro rollers, admiring the sun shining through the windows and only mildly distracted by the streaks and remnants of winter that mar the view. 

The classroom and stack of lesson plans and papers that need to be sorted before third hour bell rings beckon me but so does spending time here on the Journey. 

So for just a moment I will share an encouragement that has been on my heart lately. 

When I took this role as permanent sub for the remainder of the school year, I had to abandon some places I would usually be during that time each week. 

One of those was the ministry at one of the memory care units here in town. Russ took my place and the team certainly has not suffered for my absence, but I miss going. 

At a recent gathering of those who are serving in this ministry area, we were asked why we had joined the team. 

For me, at first glance, it was because when I heard about it, I felt interested which usually signals a call. 

As I began to make the commitment to this weekly hour, I wondered if there was’t a deeper need to give back what others did for my dad when his season with Alzheimers coincided with my season as a parent of finishing middle, high school and college years with our three. 

I was so grateful during those years for the people who ran craft tables, called Bingo, arranged music and church services and visited with him when I couldn’t. 

At our gathering, some expressed the frustration of serving this demographic of older people. While we grown fonder of them each week and try to connect, for them it is a fresh introduction every visit. 

Some of my teammates questioned if this lack of growth in relationship indicated a lack of purpose to this ministry. 

I shared with them the thought that kept me going during the years where any time spent with my father was forgotten by him shortly after I walked out the door. While I was driving home, he would be calling our house to leave a message asking when I was going to come see him. 

In that weary season of serving, I reminded myself frequently that what I ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner a month ago Tuesday is forgotten. I couldn’t tell you a morsel. 

But it sustained me and I am here, carrying on, because of those bites taken 

The love and care of daily contact, fixing meals, tying shoes, helping with homework, listening, hugging, cleaning up after…all the little acts of service…sustain life for those around us and are never wasted. 

Even if they seem to be unnoticed or forgotten. 

Keep on taking those little steps of love as you Journey Onward <3