"Why Am I Still Here?"

            Our elderly—this priceless group of people—have long been favorites of mine.

            Such a one was Weezie! Dear to the core. I came to know her in the Appalachian Mountains—when she lived with her daughter who, at the time, needed a “sitter” for her mom while she took her husband for cancer treatments. I was one of the chosen.

            What a joy and delight spending time with Weezie, hearing her stories, and sharing in her love for the Lord!

            But the time came when she could no longer be cared for in her daughter and son-in-law’s home due to his health decline, so Weezie moved to a nursing home. It was a fine place, don’t get me wrong, but Weezie changed as a woman in her nineties does just because—well—that’s what happens.

            I hopped over the mountain a time or two to visit her, and I’ll never forget (as long as I have memory) our last time together. I found Weezie sitting in her wheelchair and pulled a seat as close as possible in front of her. We held hands and talked a bit. Then I read her a Psalm and closed my Bible.

            Weezie leaned forward. I thought she was falling out of her wheelchair and reached out to catch her, but she just wanted to rest her head on my chest. So I held her there.

            She was quiet a minute. Then she glanced up, looked into my eyes, and asked, “Why am I still here?”

            I thought some moments, knowing the answer mattered—to her and God. Finally, I said, “Because we need prayer warriors on the front line. So many are busy and forget to pray for us Christian soldiers. We depend on you.” I took a deep breath then continued. “When your purpose on earth is completed, God will take you Home.”

            She gently nodded but remained in my embrace. I sang a hymn to her, and she hummed along and seemed peaceful.

(The song was one you may listen to by copying and pasting this info into your browser:

When We See Christ (lyrics video) - song cover by Nelli Savchenko - YouTube

By Esther Kerr Rusthoi*)

            On the other side of the mountain from where Weezie lived was another elderly saint who prayed faithfully at her bedside even though, when doing so, it meant enduring physical pain. She’s the dear lady pictured here—a poignant image captured by her daughter.

            Here’s what this daughter shared about the photo: “Mom had fallen and made a mess of her knees. When she was ready for bed, I asked her not to kneel. I waited and went to check on her. This is what I found. She did this until shortly before she passed at 96.” —Nagatha Venters Anderson**

            Weezie, Nagatha’s momma, and so many others passed the years where they were able to do much physically, but they didn’t stop carrying folks like us in their hearts. I dare say we’d be in a greater struggle were it not for our prayer warriors.

            Maybe you’re an elderly person or a disabled one. Please know your usefulness isn’t over. No way! Your family and others need you on your knees (figuratively if you can’t do so physically) because we’re living in a world where spiritual battles take place around every corner.

            To you, precious prayer warriors, our heartfelt thanks! Not just for those vital prayers but for the testimony of faithfulness you’ve shown us. When you’re promoted to Glory, may others of us take your place. In the meantime, thank you for teaching us well.

“Lord, let me live from day to day in such a self-forgetful way,

That even when I kneel to pray my pray’r shall be for others…”

(from the hymn, “Others” by Charles D. Meigs—blind preacher, 1917, public domain)

#prayer #prayerwarriors #elderly #seniorcitizens #spiritualwarfare

 

*Copyright 1941, New Spring (ASCAP)—Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.

**Photo & written account used with permission