Pure Religion

I met Miss Dorothy today and boy was it refreshing to hear the word “y’all” used in Colorado. She was born in Louisiana in 1916 and moved to Denver a few years back to be near her daughters after “Honey” died. “Honey” is how she referred to her husband ever since they were married 72 years ago. I wish Natalie would refer to me with the pet name “The General.” I know I have no military background, but if I got to choose a pet name, it would definitely be “The General,” with emphasis on the word “The.”

For my Pastoral Theology class I was assigned to visit two seriously ill or aging patients in the company of an experienced pastor or chaplain, and then report on the emotional and spiritual aspects of these visits. I regret not going on more of these visits in my past, especially when I was in Athens with Mrs. Carol. Carol Staton serves as the Director of Elder Adult Care at St. James and is such a saint. She spends her days behind the scenes, being Jesus to those in need, sitting by the bedsides of the sick and widowed.

I love James 1:27, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress.” This truth became so real to me when I was at the Dale House visiting orphans in jail, but I forgot about the second part of the verse, the widows. Maybe I’ve thought that it is more valuable to love the young than the old, but I’ve been wrong.

Today wasn’t magical or even that exciting, but it was spiritual. It was another glimpse at the beauty of life. Just seeing Miss Dorothy’s wrinkled hands made me think of how many tunes she must have rocked out on her piano over the years. It made me consider what my hands might look like in 2071, when I am her age.

So, Nat and I are adding something else to our “to do” list this year. Once a month we are going to “visit the widows in their distress.” I wonder what God is up to in this?

I miss you Mamaw.