A Pool Called Sent

“He went and washed and came back seeing.”

By Terri Conlin

Matt Rickard stood on the rock edge of a spring-fed pool. After traveling alongside boys from TreeHouse through Junior High, he paused to catch his breath, reflect and grieve just a bit. At the pause, Christine, still seeing stars, proposed an Easter worship service for the elderly as an outreach for their community group. Matt was familiar with smart-aleck remarks and dodgeball. What would he do with words of wisdom and quiet respect? Still, the timing made him wonder if it was God beckoning him to these waters. He ventured closer.

The Harris community group embraced the Easter service and assigned roles. Matt was to give the message. He found a prepared devotion. His wife, Audre, selected a traditional invocation and Todd Harris led hymns on his guitar. That first Sunday, songs bubbled up from a dozen gracious hearts. Their team returned for occasional summer services. Then as the leaves of autumn revealed their glory, they committed to serve one Sunday each month.

Matt saw the elderly heart brimmed with stories and wisdom, but also waves of loneliness, loss, grief and discouragement. His own soul sank at times from a heavy-heart, still hope floated above all. This hope he could bring to his silver friends; the hope of a faith buoyant on life’s choppy waters, hope fed by eternal springs.

Matt shared from his own vulnerable heart. After years struggling to have a child and the heartbreak of a recent miscarriage, still he was learning God remained praiseworthy even in these parched places of disappointment. This truth gushed forth like deep springs feeding a healing pool and washed over the couple. Even with the undertow of uncertainty, God stands trustworthy, indubitable, guaranteed good in a life with no guarantees. Matt and Audre went home happy even without the baby they longed for, smiles splashing across their souls spilling into wide grins and pooling around their eyes. Suddenly, they saw what they had not seen before and it wasn’t what happened next.

Barely one week later Audre slipped Matt an early anniversary card. The message inside bursting with joy couldn’t wait one more day for their 9th wedding anniversary. The long-awaited child was on the way! But now mixed with baby-bliss was the view from that happy day standing in effervescent waters, the certainty of God even in life’s uncertainty. They could go where Jesus sent them, before healing, answered prayers, understanding or sight.

Despite her small size and vulnerability, she has a purpose from God. So do you.” These were Matt’s words to his venerable flock on a recent Sunday morning. Argent heads bent together to see God’s handiwork; 6 lbs. 14 oz., Peyton Cora Rickard. The big question, Who would hold her first? Their baby girl debuted to the praise of God’s glory on July 15, 2008. ©

Where is Jesus sending you?

There is room for you to become part of bringing church to the elderly. Contact Todd Harris at 503-476-4499.

Contact Terri at whitepitchers.com

Wild Blue Yonder

By Terri Conlin

Christine's Group

Christine closed in prayer for a smile of 99-year-old dimples, nearing a century and full of faith. Twelve sterling heads bowed around a table fulfilling a dare-to-dream moment in Christine Leasure's life.

One pivotal day not so long ago, she swept her heart's horizon and took in the view, a blue panorama reaching back to her fifteenth year. A distinct pattern emerged, dots of metallic light in the indigo sky: visits to a nursing home, calling bingo, sending cards. Loving the elderly was in her heart, embroidered by a mighty hand. New stars shimmered on the far horizon, "Lead a Bible study for those in your heart." But that constellation twinkled beyond a wide gap in the distant skyline, way out in the wild blue yonder. Had she forgotten that for an entire year in her own Bible study, she had not shared a peep out of fear and reserve?

Christine tried to forget this nagging detail as she crossed the threshold of a local assisted living home and sat down with the director; it only magnified the distance between where she stood now and the burning nova beyond. She had come to volunteer, sing a song, visit awhile, call bingo, all familiar ground. The director caught her gaze, "Would you consider starting a Bible study for our residents?" Christine needed to sit down. Oh, she was sitting! She needed time. "Can you start next week?" In a split second, she saw her moment and caught the tail of a trailblazing comet streaking the sky on its path into that wild blue yonder.

Two crash-course weeks later, Christine sat waiting to lead her first Bible study. One sweet couple arrived. This is just what they hoped for. All summer long the three met together. Yellow school buses brought an idea along with the children of autumn. Rather than wait, Christine went to residents, "Come, let's go together." More tinkling voices joined the hymns drifting into the lobby. She searched for materials, training and mentors. She found all in the Sonshine Society, Love Your Neighbor, H.O.P.E. ministries and their leadership. Two years later the group shines at eighteen, twenty-six counting those gone to gold including that first faithful couple. The format has brightened from simple devotions to worship, scripture reading, fellowship and prayer.

Christine still follows her luminous star. Recently, she joined the assisted living staff in a full time position. What began with impossible and a risky step of obedience has soared to fill that panorama of blue.  One resident shared that while she wondered at the time, her family chose wisely in making this her home. When she remembers this Bible study on Wednesday mornings, her feet hit the floor like a young girl. A stardust smile spreads across Christine's face.

Six thousand stars are visible to the naked eye, but upwards of  one hundred billion stars dot our galaxy alone.Which one is yours?

For ministry ideas to the elderly in your area, contact Christine Leasure  at leasuremac@gmail.com.

Contact Terri at whitepitchers.com