Seek. Love. Serve.

Recently, I participated in a new ministry (for me).

Our family and a friend from our Sunday School class went to a senior care facility in town. We took handmade valentines and Hershey’s Kisses to hand out to the residents while they were in the dining room.

This ministry seemed natural to me. Talking to people is my strong suit. But, for some reason, I was nervous.

I didn’t know what to expect. How would these folks respond to strangers barging in and interrupting their dinner?

The answer is: They LOVED it!

And so did we.

The conversations were great!

I learned about J. and how her hair went from blonde to white and how she’s struggling with her eyesight. I met one lady who told me she tried to get a credit card a few years back but had no credit score — “I had no credit score,” she said, “because I never used credit. I only bought it if I had the money for it. Young people could learn from that!”

Corinn and my sons met a man who was 106 years old!

We talked until the food came, then we decided to leave. I’ll be honest. I was a little sad. There were so many people I hadn’t talked to.

I can’t wait to go back.

And we’ll be welcome. The activity director told us that Christmas is always a big “season” for people to visit. But, from now until the end of the year, there’s a lull. Few groups come and interact with the residents.

There are two days until Valentine’s Day. There are hundreds of senior citizens in your town who would love to get a valentine.

How does your church reach out to the elderly throughout the year?

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Read about Shirley Robinson and how, later in life, she discovered a passion to help the elderly.