RolingerHome

A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely...
Psalm 68:5, 6

I've been wanting to write what I'm learning about loneliness for a long time, but it's hard to put into words. How would I state it in a sentence? People are lonely, older people are especially lonely, and we can provide them a home. I love the above verse. God cares for the fatherless, widows and lonely. (and so can we!)

My mom has been an active woman all her life. She was the wife of the director of Lake Geneva Youth Camp. In those days she did it all. She cleaned, cooked for hundreds, and was a hostess extraordinaire. Later she was involved in ministry with local assemblies and camps throughout the United States. Always around people, always working, and always where the action was. Such an amazing, hospitable woman.

Then something happened. (it will happen to us!)
She got old.
The action moved elsewhere.
Her husband died.
She got lonely.

My goal is to make her a home until she gets home (where there will be no loneliness.)
I need your help. I want you to join this ministry with the lonely. They need you.

I have observed that people generally find it hard to be around old people.
They aren't cool.
Their manners aren't good.
They can't carry on a conversation.
Why bother? Well, because God does.

How do you this? Glad you asked!
I learned how to make a home for the lonely from a nine year old girl.
Mom and I were at a gathering and people weren't sitting at our table.
Pretty much all the other tables filled with people until there was nowhere left to sit.
I felt it.
I could see mom felt it.
Loneliness.
(For me it felt like standing in line waiting to be chosen for the team, but you were the last. Rejection.)

Then a nine year old girl came over and sat with mom.
She put her hand on mom's arm.
She said, "Hello, nice to see you."
My mom's face lit up. (I love that! I live to light up that face!)

"Hello. Nice to see you too. Who is this girl, Nancy?"
This might have deterred others, but not this girl.
She proceeded to ask mom questions...
"How was your day?"
"What did you do today?"
She wasn't getting long answers so she decided to take control of the conversation.
She proceeded to tell mom all about her recent camp experience.
The things she made. The things she did.
Eventually she said, "It was so good talking with you. See you later."

Mom talked about her for the rest of the week. A nine year old provided a home for my mother!
What did she do? Paid attention to her. Showed her a little bit of love and kindness. Not hard!

Last night I met an older woman who wanted, no, needed companionship.
(Thank you, Lord, that I recognized it instead of living in my own little world.)
I stopped what I was doing. I looked at her. I listened.
I prayed, "God help me to make a home for her like that little girl did for mom.)

I write this, as with my other blogs, so that I won't forget this when my mom has gone to her heavenly home. But I also write to encourage you! Make a home for some lonely person today. Let's do this!