This week, I had the opportunity to visit with one of our homebound members. I took home communion with me so we could celebrate together. When I arrived, I asked her how she was. She said that she was “betwixt and between.” Her home health aide had not showed, and she was in physical pain. So, we talked about that and what that meant to her. We celebrated Holy Communion together. Within 10 minutes, her eyes began to shine brighter. She went from lamenting to praising God. I listened as she shared her life’s journey and how Jesus continues to protect her and give her strength. In the short time we spent together, I witnessed her “betwixt and between” become “joy!”
I am not saying that I had any skills or any impact on helping this person. I was present and showed up, but it was God who transformed her. God was there in our time together. God was in the meal we shared. God was in the talking and listening. God was in her and even in me.
When I leave a pastoral visit, I truly marvel at how God works. I am humbled that God can use even me to do His work. I share that God can use you too. IF you choose to show up, God will undoubtedly use you to minister to others and you will be blessed!
I am sure you have heard this litany, but I thought would remind you.
Do you feel like God couldn’t possibly use you? Remember:
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses stuttered
Gideon was afraid
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah was too young
David was an adulterer and a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once)
Zacchaeus was too small
Paul condemned Christians
Timothy had an ulcer
Lazarus was dead!