Aged care chaplaincy ministry is delightful and rewarding, yet it can also be challenging and confronting. Dealing with loss is an intergenerational experience, but one that seems to be more pronounced as one approaches their senior citizen years. I'm not simply talking about loss associated with death. There's also the loss of personal autonomy and physical independence associated with the aging process, to name but a few.
Experience is a great teacher and I've come to realize that what matters most is not what happens to us, but how we are supported through those times. Often we can't change a person's circumstances, but we do have the ability to affect their outlook of the situation and assist them to find hope in the process.
What are you doing to influence others? More importantly, what is God asking you to do as you seek to be a positive, supportive influence where He has placed you?
Leviticus 19:32 (MSG) ~ "Show respect to the aged; honor the presence of an elder; fear your God. I am God."
