Beautiful Things

"You have a college degree and you're wiping poop off an old lady's butt?" one of my resident's asked.

I failed to remind her that college degrees are obtained today at the equivalency that high school degrees were in her day, but yes, I do have a college degree, and yes, I do spend much of my day either wiping old people's bottoms or giving assistance to resident's in bathrooms and showers.
 But it's my privilege not my plight.

"She has done a beautiful thing for me."  (Matt 26)

Jesus says this of the woman who anoints him with expensive perfume.
 Others are indignant because the value of the perfume could have been used to feed the poor.
But what is practical in our minds isn't always the most beautiful thing to Jesus.

What beautiful thing can I do for Jesus today?

These days for me it may mean wiping a dirty bottom with love and dignity, washing and massaging old crusty feet, or letting a crushed and depressed resident sob on my shoulders.

These aren't world changing actions, but they may change one person's world.
So many others do these same actions every day, but it is these same actions that make my day.
 The investment isn't the most practical. I spend myself pouring everything I am into individuals who's "glory days" are past and who's situations in this life are only going to continue to deteriorate.
 But they are individuals who are still beautiful, still human, and still created in the image of God.
This is why I see it as a great privilege and joy to serve them and in doing so do something beautiful for Jesus.
 
 My last entry was six months ago as I was navigating where to take the next step. Six months later I find myself still in Columbus, Ohio,working for a senior living company as both a Care Manager and a Life Enrichment Manager with resident's affected by Alzheimer's and dementia.
 It has been the most rewarding yet heartbreaking job, it has been stretching and healing, and it is teaching me more about the depths of human love and suffering then I could ever imagine. And I am grateful.

My blog may make a shift as I hope to find moments to share bits of what I am learning through my time spent in community with those who suffer from memory loss.

"May you continue to be the sunshine of His love to your people and thus make your life something truly beautiful for God"-Mother Teresa