Coming Home | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Coming Home | Previous Challenge Entry
By jan post
12/06/07
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I don’t know why I hadn’t refused Sharon’s invitation. I was usually pretty quick with an excuse when an invitation was given, especially when I wasn’t certain what it was all about. However, Sharon had caught me a little off guard; she seemed so genuine and sincere. I supposed it would be pretty harmless to humor her this once.

Now we were on our way to her “home group meeting”, what ever that was. She didn’t give me a lot of details, just that she met with these people, friends she called them, on a regular basis at least once a week. Apparently, they studied the Bible, and then they discussed what they learned. I warned Sharon that I had been to church a few times and that it and I didn’t really have a lot in common. The speakers I had heard had sounded foreign to me and the people I had met there were distant and cold. Sharon smiled apologetically, and nodded knowingly. “Please come just this once; I promise you it will be different” she coaxed. I don’t know why but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

You see, I first met Sharon about a year ago when I started working at Pine View Rest Home, a long-term care facility. On my first orientation day I was assigned to work with another care aide who would show me the ropes, so to speak. This seasoned care aide was to introduce me to some of the residents she was looking after, familiarize me with their particular needs, in addition to orientate me to the layout of the facility, and the routines of the day shift. As soon as I met Sharon I was drawn to her quiet and... yes, sweet personality. When we shook hands she actually met my gaze and I believe she really saw me. She was friendly and encouraging and as the day wore on I was impressed with her gentle and patient approach with the elderly. Even on our lunch break she never bad mouthed anyone, resident or co-worker. At first I thought I had caught her on a really good day, but as I worked with Sharon on a regular basis I realized that she was for real. She wasn’t the bubbly, exuberant type by any means; she was steady and kind and always gentle. I came to have a deep respect for her, and I guess that is why I couldn’t refuse her invitation.

As we arrived at the home where the meeting was being held, Sharon quietly introduced me to her friends. Each one acknowledged and welcomed me. There was some friendly chatter till everyone had arrived and then someone suggested we get started, and asked if there were any prayer requests? I quietly listened as several individuals voiced their concerns: one asked for prayer for his mother who had fallen and hurt her back, a single mom confessed her frustrations and asked for patience to deal with her teenage son, someone else asked that they might find work soon, and there were other requests too. When all was said we were asked to bow our heads and different ones took turns praying for the various things that had been asked for. Following the prayer, we sang some hymns and some songs they called choruses accompanied by a guitarist. We didn’t sound like a fine tuned choir but it was the sweetest music I had heard in a long time. Then everyone, but me that is, picked up their Bibles and searched for the book and chapter we would be studying. Sharon casually leaned over and shared her book with me. Her Bible was well used I noticed, with wrinkled pages, high lighted verses, and scribbled notes in the margins. I heard more with my ears than actually following along with my eyes. They were reading something about a body being one unit but consisting of many parts. They continued with how these various parts have different functions, yet all are necessary. Then they explained that the church is often compared to a body; a group of believers with many members, each one with different talents and a unique purpose, yet having a common goal. I realized I had gotten a glimpse of what God’s church should look like; I decided I wanted to be a part of this group what ever my body part should look like. I felt at home.

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