Inspired by a song of praise
I heard a rich, melodious contralto voice the moment I got out of the car at my aunt’s nursing home about 8:30 yesterday morning. From her wheelchair, a black woman’s song of praise to God filled the morning air from where she sat, just outside the facility’s doors, and lifted the spirits of all who heard it. I stopped beside her to enjoy the moment.
When she finished, she looked towards me and smiled. I asked if I might sing “Amazing Grace” with her, and without a spoken word or hesitation, she led us in that hauntingly beautiful spiritual (See also: “We Are All Connected By God’s Amazing Grace”.).
We had barely begun to sing when the nursing home doors opened behind us, and out came two well-dressed funeral home attendants pushing a gurney on which lay the covered body of a resident who had died during the night. My new friend and I kept singing as they slid their precious cargo into the waiting hearse. We finished just as they were closing the back doors, and I said, mostly to myself, “Oh my, I had no idea how appropriate that song would be.” One of the gentlemen from the funeral home smiled warmly and replied, “Indeed it was!”
God uses us
Just before I went inside, I touched the singer on the arm and thanked her for letting God use her that morning. As she looked up at me, I realized she was blind.
I’d like to think God also used me in a small way that day—perhaps to encourage that faithful singer, or perhaps to send someone winging their way to heaven on a holy song.
But on reflection, I believe the lesson for me was to remind me that God uses all of us any time, anywhere, and in surprising ways…if we place ourselves in His care.
Wherever we are…
Some folks who have lost their sight and their ability to walk might curl up and wallow in self pity or feelings of unworthiness.
But not this faithful woman.
From exactly where she was, she lifted her voice in praise to her God, and in so doing, she inspired me to do the same.
Memorial Day: A Connection of Remembrance and Gratitude
Thank you Elizabeth for enriching my time with the Lord this morning with this beautiful article! A God-tuned spirit and heart is one of His greatest gifts! Thanks for being His instrument!
What a beautiful comment, Elizabeth, and it lifts me up to know it enriched your “God time” this morning. I am grateful, always, when I can be His instrument. I am working on trusting that He is using me even when I’m not aware of it.
Kind, spontaneous acts can be huge! And sometimes what we think are “little things” can have a huge impact on others. Some people are too much in a hurry and miss these opportunities. Thanks again for the gentle reminder.
You are so right, Karen — it was a reminder to me as much as to anyone, but I just had to share!
Oh Elizabeth, what a magical moment. And how God moved your response to the singing, by using the senses left for this spiritual woman – hearing, touch and soul.
God does indeed put us in positions to make a difference. We have to be aware of that though and keep a watchful eye for such opportunities, or they can go right by, in our hurry to move on. A sincere compliment, a shared irony, a move to help should always be at hand and ready to deliver.
Thank you for the reminder that the chance to provide grace and kindness are everywhere, if we just go through life aware – as you always are.
Annette, you made my day with this beautiful comment. You are absolutely right that it is so, so easy to be in such a hurry that we either don’t even think to respond to these situations, or we rationalize that we don’t have time.
I’ve been doing a lot of walking lately, and I’ve resisted the urge to listen to music or podcasts or books on tape. What a wonderful world of observations have been opened up to me simply because I slowed down and started noticing. There’s at least one upcoming blog post about that…
Great story, Elizabeth.
Some of my most memorable moments are those when I’ve done something spontaneously, only to realize later that I was simply an instrument in greater hands. I guess, using that analogy, it is my job to keep my instrument tuned and ready for use.
Thanks so much for sharing that, Esther. You are spot on in your take-away, and I really think your point is exactly the point St. Paul was trying to make in I Corinthians when he said, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” I’ve been trying to remind myself of this in my effort this year to make healthier choices of eating and moving. Don’t you love all these connections? 🙂