One of the things I try to do when I visit nursing homes, is take my daughter with me. I checked Karis out of school early yesterday to go with me because she is the best visiting partner I have ever had. Her specialty; nursing homes and assisted living centers.
There is no way to fully describe how pleasant she is with the aged. She makes me the best nursing home minister on the planet just by standing next to me. She can’t help but smile everywhere she goes, so when she walks in the room, the residents light up with glee.
Besides smiling, she holds hands, hugs necks, lets her face be kissed, and has even prayed with a lady once. She never hides behind me or outside the room regardless of how scary or gruff someone may seem. She has never been grossed out by awkward smells or unpleasant sights, and she always takes time in the hallway to speak to the unexpected person sitting lonely in the doorway of their room.
Never have I seen her so much as flinch when spoken to by someone out of their mind and unintelligible. Neither has she ever laughed when asked the same question 4 times by Alzheimer patients - she simply takes it all in stride and asks me about the details later. My seven year old daughter has a ministry gift that sets her apart even at her young age. It really is impressive.
Yesterday I watched as she met someone new. A group of ladies were sitting in the lobby looking out the window when we stopped by. One of the ladies saw Karis and immediately reached out for her to come close. She scooped her into her arms holding her tightly like a doll and telling her over and over how much she loved her.
This was probably the most uncomfortable of contexts I have seen my daughter experience. With shaking hands the lady stroked Karis’ hair and touched her face repeatedly while telling her she loved her - It actually weirded me out a little. Before letting her go she looked her in the eyes and with an almost begging plea asked Karis if she loved her. “Do you love me? Do you love me, too? Do you love me?” she repeated. Karis said “yes, I love you” just as matter of fact as she would her own mother.
That woman released her in tremendous relief and with tears in her eyes rested back in her chair telling everyone nearby that that sweet little girl loved her. Watching my daughter fearlessly bless others the way she did makes me one proud daddy.
As I have reflected upon the experience, two specific things came to mind. One is that we as parents must sensitize ourselves to the giftedness and uniqueness of our children, and be wise enough to cultivate the richness of the soil for them to grow and thrive. I believe this is a large part of the responsibility expressed in Proverbs 22:6 which reads “train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it”.
Secondly, regardless of age, condition, background, or circumstances, we all want to be loved. I don’t know what that lady’s story is or why she so desperately needed to hear that from Karis yesterday, but I do know what I saw in her face and body language the moment she heard it. It was peace and rest.
May we all strive to be a blessing to those around us.
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