Matt 25:35 (MSG) “…I was sick and you stopped by to visit…”
This past April, our small group decided to offer music at a local rehabilitation center as a way of sharing God’s love to our neighbors. We had a variety of connections to this particular facility through our group members.
We settled on oldies and hymns at 2 pm on Sunday with the help of the social coordinator.
On the day of the “performance,” at about 1:20 pm, I received a text from a brother who had arrived early to set up. “Where are the performers? The audience is here.” The message instantly aroused me from my afternoon stupor. What?!? Did we miscommunicate our start time? Is he joking? Who shows up more than half hour early for a casual event? Elsa and I rushed out our front door.
When I arrived at the meeting hall, the place was already lined with residents. Most of them were sitting in some type of assisted mobility devices. Less than a handful of people sat in regular chairs. I reconfirmed the 2 pm start time. Why was everyone there so early? We couldn’t start with most of the group missing, so I introduced myself to the closest resident and started chatting with some of them. After talking to other residents, I looked at my phone and it was only 1:45 pm and most of our group were still on their way. I was still baffled with why they all showed up so early to hear us.
At 2 pm sharp, I introduced our group to the residents and told them we were not there to perform, but that the event is a sing-along of oldies and hymns. I announced we had two sets of songs. After our first set, we’d break to share the refreshments we brought and everyone was welcomed to help themselves. Then I immediately corrected myself. We’d bring the refreshments to them (most were in wheelchairs). A brother shared the background inspiration of the hymns we sang. I noticed a majority of the residents sang or mouthed the hymns with us. We began our second set of songs with John Denver’s classic song “Country Road.” I couldn’t help but find amusement and levity with the scene of overseas-born Chinese belting out “Country road take me home” to an audience of Caucasians at a sing-along in Seattle. After we finished our second set of songs, I thanked them for joining us and said goodbye. A resident immediately shouted toward us, “Come back again!”
I realized after talking to many residents, they all needed assistance to get to the meeting room. That’s why they were so early. I also learned, while I am always pressed for time, they had too much time on their hands. Their day passes painfully slowly. While I long for a quiet afternoon to recharge, they long to leave the humdrum confinement of the rehab center for some excitement. While I’m often talked out and tired from socializing at church, they yearn and crave interaction with family, friends, and even strangers.
In our small way of putting God’s word into practice, God multiplied our efforts by blessing the residents as well as our group that memorable Sunday afternoon.