Christmas day was an opportunity to attend two distinct dinners. One was filled with happiness, excited children, good food, and the spirit of joy and love. The other was solemn, lacking much laughter, there was no excitement, yet, the food was good, the Christmas spirit seemed to be present, only no children and the love and joy were not so noticeable. What was the difference of these two distinct dinners? Let me take a moment and explain. These two dinners reminded me of what life can be like, either filled with joy and life, or filled with sadness and loneliness. One filled with purpose and meaning, the other filled with no direction and emptiness.
The first dinner My wife Eva and I attended was at a memory loss facility where Eva's mother was staying. We were invited to have dinner with my mother in law on Christmas day. We have visited many times to see to some of the needs Eva's mother has so we were not shocked to the conditions or the lack of excitement in this type of facility. Everyone that has been placed in one of these facilities is not there because they want to be, they are there because they need to be. In the faces of these residents you can clearly see the condition of dementia. You can see a want to, but the lack of understanding as to why they want to. As we entered the building and found most of the residents sitting around a table holding stockings stuffed with some Christmas gifts the first thing you noticed was most of them did not know what to do with them. A confused look set in on their faces, some ask what they were supposed to do with the item. Most had to be helped taking things out of the stocking and have an attendant explain the items. As you continued to watch the expressions on the residents faces, you knew that there was a want to to understand and enjoy, but you seen very quickly that there was a lack of communication from the brain to the heart or emotions. At dinner the same look and reaction was there, except most because of routine knew what to do. Most enjoyed the meal but had no emotion and no reaction, some had to be helped to eat their meal. Eva's Mom is one of the more alert of the group, she recognizes us when we enter the room and enjoys the conversations, it's just her memory that lets her down.
In this facility you see the lostness in peoples faces and the lack of confidence in their actions. Emptiness in their lives is prevalent because their minds are not functioning at the capacity of those without dementia. You can't help but feel sorry for these folks knowing that at one time they were active and contributed to society in some way. You often wonder what their stories are and what there life was like before they were afflicted with dementia. It is sad to see some just wondering aimlessly down the hall not sure where they are going or why they are headed in the direction they started out in. An emptiness prevails continually on most of them and existence is from their room to the dinner table or to some games at activity time.
The other dinner we attended was at our daughter's and son in law's house. Here we gathered together with loved ones and felt full of life. The grandchildren were running around and playing with toys they just received for Christmas. They knew for sure what to do with them. The excitement could be seen on everyone's face and the hugs were genuine. We ate dinner with the rest of the family and exclaimed how excellent it was. No one needed any help except for the smaller children. You did not see the emptiness on peoples faces and none seemed to be lonely. Life seemed to abound as games were played, snacks were eaten later and toys were played with. What a contrast to the first dinner.
As I watched the folks at the care center I could not help but realize that the world that does not know or accept Christ as God's Son looks just like this. They have a look of lostness, anxiety, and emptiness on their faces and in their lives. Even though most know what they are doing, and where they are headed they still don't have the direction they need to be fulfilled in life. Many struggle through each day just to face new challenges without guidance or hope. Many wonder aimlessly through life wondering why they are going in the direction they started out in, and can't figure out why they even exist. Most seem to lack purpose and meaning for the existence they are in. A sad and lonely look is prevalent on their faces and the frown lines become deeper and more sorrowful looking. Even though most seem to put on a smile, and have some happy times, when the day is over the feeling of why and what's the meaning of life settles in. The only thing to look forward to is another day filled with the same emptiness and feeling of despair.
Now I am not saying that those who have Christ in their life do not have days of despair and some anxiety at times, but for those who put their trust in the living God through Christ have hope on their face and know they have meaning and purpose in this life. When they go through hardships and trials they know that they are not alone and have a friend to walk through the valley with them. Unlike those outside of Christ who struggle and lose hope, the one's who believe in the living God and accept Christ as their Lord continue to have a smile on their faces and a bounce in their step.
Here are some scriptures that may shed some light on the differences of the two ways of life.
John 1:12 "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
1 Corith. 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
Look up these scriptures on your own and let them sink into your spirit. These verses will tell you that you are accepted.
Romans 5:1; 1 Corith. 6:17; Ephesians 1:3-8; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 4:14-16
The following verses show you that you are secure in Christ.
Romans 8:11; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:31-39; 2Corith. 1:21-22;
Philipians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
These next verses tell me I am significant.
John 15:5, " I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:16; ICorith. 3:16; 2Corith. 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:6
Who am I in Christ? The scriptures tell us that in Christ I am a child of God; God is spiritually my Father. Look at the following scriptures;
Romans 8:14-15; 2Corith. 5:17; Galatians 3:26,28, Galatians 4:6-7
These are just a few of the scriptures explaining our position in Christ. It is no wonder that those who put their trust in Christ can have a tear in their eye and a smile on their face. Those in Christ have hope. Those without Christ are like those in the care center, lost, lonely and wondering aimlessly throughout life with no hope of something better to come. The question would be, which are you? I would encourage those who have not put their faith and trust in Christ to do so, for those who have put their trust and faith in Christ but have forgotten their way, return to Him and let Him show you the way. For those who have kept their faith in Christ, endured the hardships, and continue to follow Him no matter, keep it up and always remember in whom you trust.
May God bless you richly and abundantly as you journey through life with Him as your Lord and Saviour.
If you are interested in further scriptures click on the link below.
encouragingbiblequotes.com/verses2a.html
The first dinner My wife Eva and I attended was at a memory loss facility where Eva's mother was staying. We were invited to have dinner with my mother in law on Christmas day. We have visited many times to see to some of the needs Eva's mother has so we were not shocked to the conditions or the lack of excitement in this type of facility. Everyone that has been placed in one of these facilities is not there because they want to be, they are there because they need to be. In the faces of these residents you can clearly see the condition of dementia. You can see a want to, but the lack of understanding as to why they want to. As we entered the building and found most of the residents sitting around a table holding stockings stuffed with some Christmas gifts the first thing you noticed was most of them did not know what to do with them. A confused look set in on their faces, some ask what they were supposed to do with the item. Most had to be helped taking things out of the stocking and have an attendant explain the items. As you continued to watch the expressions on the residents faces, you knew that there was a want to to understand and enjoy, but you seen very quickly that there was a lack of communication from the brain to the heart or emotions. At dinner the same look and reaction was there, except most because of routine knew what to do. Most enjoyed the meal but had no emotion and no reaction, some had to be helped to eat their meal. Eva's Mom is one of the more alert of the group, she recognizes us when we enter the room and enjoys the conversations, it's just her memory that lets her down.
In this facility you see the lostness in peoples faces and the lack of confidence in their actions. Emptiness in their lives is prevalent because their minds are not functioning at the capacity of those without dementia. You can't help but feel sorry for these folks knowing that at one time they were active and contributed to society in some way. You often wonder what their stories are and what there life was like before they were afflicted with dementia. It is sad to see some just wondering aimlessly down the hall not sure where they are going or why they are headed in the direction they started out in. An emptiness prevails continually on most of them and existence is from their room to the dinner table or to some games at activity time.
The other dinner we attended was at our daughter's and son in law's house. Here we gathered together with loved ones and felt full of life. The grandchildren were running around and playing with toys they just received for Christmas. They knew for sure what to do with them. The excitement could be seen on everyone's face and the hugs were genuine. We ate dinner with the rest of the family and exclaimed how excellent it was. No one needed any help except for the smaller children. You did not see the emptiness on peoples faces and none seemed to be lonely. Life seemed to abound as games were played, snacks were eaten later and toys were played with. What a contrast to the first dinner.
As I watched the folks at the care center I could not help but realize that the world that does not know or accept Christ as God's Son looks just like this. They have a look of lostness, anxiety, and emptiness on their faces and in their lives. Even though most know what they are doing, and where they are headed they still don't have the direction they need to be fulfilled in life. Many struggle through each day just to face new challenges without guidance or hope. Many wonder aimlessly through life wondering why they are going in the direction they started out in, and can't figure out why they even exist. Most seem to lack purpose and meaning for the existence they are in. A sad and lonely look is prevalent on their faces and the frown lines become deeper and more sorrowful looking. Even though most seem to put on a smile, and have some happy times, when the day is over the feeling of why and what's the meaning of life settles in. The only thing to look forward to is another day filled with the same emptiness and feeling of despair.
Now I am not saying that those who have Christ in their life do not have days of despair and some anxiety at times, but for those who put their trust in the living God through Christ have hope on their face and know they have meaning and purpose in this life. When they go through hardships and trials they know that they are not alone and have a friend to walk through the valley with them. Unlike those outside of Christ who struggle and lose hope, the one's who believe in the living God and accept Christ as their Lord continue to have a smile on their faces and a bounce in their step.
Here are some scriptures that may shed some light on the differences of the two ways of life.
John 1:12 "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
1 Corith. 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
Look up these scriptures on your own and let them sink into your spirit. These verses will tell you that you are accepted.
Romans 5:1; 1 Corith. 6:17; Ephesians 1:3-8; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 4:14-16
The following verses show you that you are secure in Christ.
Romans 8:11; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:31-39; 2Corith. 1:21-22;
Philipians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
These next verses tell me I am significant.
John 15:5, " I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:16; ICorith. 3:16; 2Corith. 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:6
Who am I in Christ? The scriptures tell us that in Christ I am a child of God; God is spiritually my Father. Look at the following scriptures;
Romans 8:14-15; 2Corith. 5:17; Galatians 3:26,28, Galatians 4:6-7
These are just a few of the scriptures explaining our position in Christ. It is no wonder that those who put their trust in Christ can have a tear in their eye and a smile on their face. Those in Christ have hope. Those without Christ are like those in the care center, lost, lonely and wondering aimlessly throughout life with no hope of something better to come. The question would be, which are you? I would encourage those who have not put their faith and trust in Christ to do so, for those who have put their trust and faith in Christ but have forgotten their way, return to Him and let Him show you the way. For those who have kept their faith in Christ, endured the hardships, and continue to follow Him no matter, keep it up and always remember in whom you trust.
May God bless you richly and abundantly as you journey through life with Him as your Lord and Saviour.
If you are interested in further scriptures click on the link below.
encouragingbiblequotes.com/verses2a.html
