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Bev Foster shares with us...
This past week, before my mom went to the hospital, I was over helping her to take a shower. Because of her fall, I had not been letting her shower alone. It was during this process that I became keenly aware of how Jesus must have felt and what He was trying to show us when He washed His disciple’s feet. The scripture is from John 13: 14b-17 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. As I gently toweled my mom, I felt a warmth and tenderness that washed over me like a flood. I was doing just what I needed to be doing in that moment. I experienced a genuine feeling of serving. It is a feeling that will be with me for the rest of my life. A bittersweet, tear jerking, moment, when I knew just what I was put here for, service to others. We used to have a Praise Hymnal at church, and in that book was a song, “Cups of Cold Water.” The words of that song came to my mind when I was helping my mom. Here are the lyrics to the song written by John W. Peterson: Healing the widows and orphans in their needs, Healing the sick ones and binding hearts that bleed, Feeding the hungry this we must surely do. By this we serve Him and demonstrate His love. CHORUS: Cups of cold water, given in Jesus' name, Cups of cold water are never given in vain. Someday in heaven when we meet the Lord, Each deed of kindness will bring a rich reward. During this hard time for our world, our country, and our community, finding small moments when we can serve others, may just be the medicine we all need right now. And God has promised that you will be blessed! Go and serve, in whatever small way you can! Prayer: Lord, help us find those small moments to serve others during this trying time. Be well my friends!
8 Comments
Rena Aldrich
5/3/2020 02:13:27 pm
Beautiful post. Thank you. I still feel close to your church and South Londonderry. My family by marriage was from there. The Aldrich's owned the house next to the Londonderry Inn since about 1940, until Edith Aldrich passed away about 11 years ago. The Aldrich, Pearson, Newell families are all related and buried in Glebe. My husband is the last of the Aldrich family, and suffers from dementia. Very sad. Wonderful memories of your town. 5/3/2020 03:53:43 pm
Dearest Rena, we loved Edith. She was a lovely and very dear neighbor. She loved my homemade soup. She loved feeding her Gold finches every day and watching them out the window from her comfortable chair. She was spry until the end, remembering my children's names and their ages, and details of their lives that she often asked about. Richard was wonderful, and was over at her house almost every day. I painted her house for her one summer, while Edith sat in her chair outside and kept me company. She was a great lady. I remember she would come outside every day, when she was able to walk and stand, and she would declare - even in inclement weather "TODAY IS A GREAT DAY!". We have owned the Londonderry Inn since late 1999, and whenever anyone would ask me which weekend would have the best foliage, or when the best snow would come, - I always told them "I have to ask our neighbor Edith. She is the only one who really knows." We still live here right next door to Edith's house. And her chair still sits facing the window, though the floor is falling in. We feel her spirit and kindness and miss her all the time.
Beverly Foster
5/3/2020 08:07:56 pm
Thank you Rena. I am a Pearson. My dad was Charles "Red" Pearson and my mom Ada (Howe). I loved Aunt Edith. I would often stop and visit with her when my mom had something she wanted to give her. I painted a picture of her barn, which I will cherish forever, as it is now gone. God Bless!
Rena B Aldrich
5/3/2020 09:07:09 pm
Bev Foster thank you. Are you the person who had copies of your barn painting made and gave one to Edith? She hung it on her wall. When she passed, we took it for our wall. Bob loved it and it meant so much to us all. Now that he has Alzheimer's he stares at that barn and remembers it and his family so clearly. It is in the nursing home with him now. If you painted it, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If not, I am thankful for whoever did. God Bless. Of course, we remember your parents. Wonderful people.
Beverly Foster
5/4/2020 01:57:27 pm
Yes, that was me and I have the original at my house. I am so happy he is getting enjoyment out of it. I will keep him in my prayers. My mom is still alive at 94. She is in the hospital now. Not sure where we go from here, so prayers are appreciated. Be well!
Rena Aldrich
5/14/2020 04:14:50 pm
When Bob passed away the one possession lost at the nursing home was your picture. In a million years, do you have any copies? I know it has been many years. I would buy it from you. Thank you. Rena Aldrich
Rena Aldrich
5/4/2020 02:41:49 pm
Bev, thanks. I am glad you now know how much your painting has meant to us. I didn't know Ada was still with us at 94. God bless her. She used to send Christmas cards with a note to us years ago. So glad to connect with you. God Bless you and your family. Rena
Beverly Foster
5/15/2020 10:02:19 am
Hi Rena, Leave a Reply. |
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