Connections in strange minds can create interesting artifacts. My mind often twists and turns in strange ways led by my amazing God. As I silenced my radio on a commute, yesterday's seemed worthy of rekindling my blog.
As I turned off my bluetooth radio, without touching the radio, I found my mind musing the rapid progression of personal accouterments clogging our lives (you know, mobile phones that respond to voice commands?). Such rapid progress foisted my mind back to my time as a nineteen year old visiting the elderly at Torrey Pines Convalescent hospital every Wednesday.
My memory, jarred by the thought of progress, my young mind boggled as I spoke with some approaching the century mark in their years living in a convalescent facility. They reminisced of climbing into a horse drawn carriage, all dressed up to go to church on Sunday. Absent was the thought or even idea of the internal combustion engine back then. My heart and soul became enamored with asking about their childhood life and that which brought meaning into their lives.
This convalescent hospital exists in an affluent community of San Diego, California, its residents filled with interesting people cared for by their affluent children, many who seldom visited. Yet as I did so, I met a woman who played the caliope for the circus with fading photographs to enhance her tales. I met a farmer turned store owner and eventual car dealer as his life transformed through the changes. Many of the ladies survived their successful husbands running households and raising children lovingly telling great stories of the industrial revolution through the eyes and hearts as participants. For a young mind, it was hard to believe that these people grew up before cars and planes and as they unveiled tales, their eyes twinkled with marvel at the precipice of change they experienced.
As I mentally mused in my drive, I found myself, in a moment, transported back to these fond remembrances as I magically turned 'off' my radio by touching my phone as it hangs from a holder attached to my truck window.
We garishly cling to and display our technology before others without marvel or thanksgiving. My life collides with the lives of those trapped in beds, relinquished mostly to wheelchairs as they approach their transition off planet. This young kid was challenged by the activities director when she blurted out,
"You churches are all alike. You visit us at Christmas and forget us the rest of the year."
I was then calling because I had been foisted into becoming the interim director of our church choir. Our director left for another job. Having the most musical training, besides our organist and piano players I was asked to step in. As we approached Christmas, I felt led to call various facilities in the area and while we did perform there, I promised her that we would come other times. The choir never did as a few months later we hired another director, even though I tried to interest them in returning visits.
But I continued going and another young lady in the young adults group joined me regularly. Marlena was faithful and not in the choir, but had a passion for the elderly. We helped one another stay accountable to our commitment.
There were many days I didn't want to go. But it seemed especially on those days as I overcame my struggle and went a wonderful story would emerge from timely visit. Here, God planted His seeds of caring, showing me the beauty and wonder found in lives lying there mostly abandoned. Most of them Godly. Most of them speaking of the wonder of His work in their lives. A wonder I had no appreciation for then, but far more now.
And it all came back to me like a wave as I simply wanted to turn off my music and listen to the voice of my Master. Thank you Lord, for orchestrating this life, of this simple man with a strange mind. As I look back, I sit in wonder of the MANY ways you have led me and into the many wonderful lives of those who walked this earth. I sit in wonder, just like many of them, in the transformation of their lives through the ages. God used them to transform my life. Lead on oh King eternal.
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