Thought for Wednesday 9 February

 2 Corinthians 13:14

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

 Here in Corson Court, we got a bit of good news yesterday…..the dining room is opening on Friday. Woohoo!

Of course, the numbers are still limited to 8 at a time but even that will allow us to have some fellowship with other tenants and I’ll be able to resume winding them up. I wonder if John will remember not to swear, he stopped before lockdown because he was fed up with me telling him off, at least at meals.

Others have been needing the interaction with the rest, for the sake of their mental health. The first few days will be quite noisy with everyone trying to speak over everyone else, (except me). We do still need to wear masks except when eating but too many have developed dementia to be able to enforce that too strictly.

In Genesis 2: 18 The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’

God did not create us to be alone, which is why He made Eve, we cannot live solitary lives, most of us need the companionship of other people, at least some of the time. Although most people like some alone time, it isn’t always beneficial to good health, mental or physical. There is one woman in here who has really suffered during this time. She was always smart and well turned out, now she is dishevelled and uninterested in her appearance. She has apparently even stopped taking her daily walk, she doesn’t see the point, doesn’t want to be here.

We all need to be doing what Jesus would want us to do. We should be looking out for those who feel like Ann, we should be making sure that they know they matter, not only to their neighbours but to God. Those with dementia keep asking why they haven’t had a visit from their families, even when they have had a visit. They were so long without seeing their sons or daughters that when they do see them, they forget. People who are lonely need somebody to speak to but, more importantly, to listen to them talk about what upsets them.

Prayer

Loving Saviour, help us to be more like You in our treatment of those who need our company. Pandemic restrictions are being lifted now and we have the opportunity to show that they are not abandoned. Thank You for the chance to bring Your love to them. We ask also that You would be with Elaine and her broken leg, thank You. Amen.