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Making Your Own Prosperity
- By Denise Kennard
- Published 01/8/2009
- Real Life
- Unrated
Denise Kennard
Denise is the co-owner and administrator of Competent Care Home Health Nursing in Costa Mesa, California. She has over twenty years of experience in home health nursing, in both bedside care and managerial roles. Denise is a member of California Association for Health Services at Home and serve in two committees. She is also a member of National Association of Women Business Owners and the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.
Sami B's mom died this week. I first met Sami when she was teaching at the little Christian school my children attend. Her youth, sparkling disposition, kind heart, and intelligence made her a fast favorite with both the students and the parents. It wasn't until I realized who Sami's parents were that I understood something about what made her different.
My husband had helped in a church in Santa Maria a few summers ago. One Sunday afternoon there, Mr. and Mrs. R invited us to their home for lunch. Mr. R was confined to a wheelchair; Mrs. R was his round-the-clock nurse and loving companion. A victim of the merciless ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Mr. R at one time had been a law enforcement officer, capable, strong, and brave. His wife was an RN who had now dedicated her life to being his servant and protector. What struck me about the situation was that neither resented the reversal. Mr. R was content, even saying that he had learned more about life and about his Savior in weakness than he had ever understood when strong. Mrs. R was devoted and kind, using her gifts to support him and ease his suffering. There was no pining or chafing in the circumstances, just contentment and service. Seeing them there, in their home setting--caring for one another, happy in their faith, triumphing in difficulties--made an indelible impression on me.
On
Thanksgiving Day this year, Mr. R succumbed to pneumonia, leaving a family that rejoiced in his release, but who missed him dearly. And just this week, a blood clot took Mrs. R from her family. She died quietly, in her sleep. They left behind three daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren, including Sami's new little daughter.
Why would I write such a story to begin a new year? Because I see in Mr. and Mrs. R two lives that made a difference. When the R's were strong and in their prime, they were dedicated to serving their fellowman. When Mr. and Mrs. R were in their difficulties and weaknesses, bright and clear grace was shining in their lives. Mr. R's wheelchair was not a handicap; it was a setting for the gem that God was creating in the pressure and heat of his life. Mrs. R's service was not confinement; it was an example of a life well-used to bring blessing to others. People who spent time with this couple were not the same when they left. Visitors were changed for the better, seeing in Mr. and Mrs. R God's grace and the blessing of a life of faith.
Thinking about Mr. and Mrs. R makes me hopeful as I begin 2009. Who knows what this year will bring? We yearn for prosperity and blessing, untainted by difficulties or disappointments. We forget that God's grace can bring richness and surprising triumphs from unlikely circumstances.
May the lives that touch yours and mine this year be the better for it.
My husband had helped in a church in Santa Maria a few summers ago. One Sunday afternoon there, Mr. and Mrs. R invited us to their home for lunch. Mr. R was confined to a wheelchair; Mrs. R was his round-the-clock nurse and loving companion. A victim of the merciless ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Mr. R at one time had been a law enforcement officer, capable, strong, and brave. His wife was an RN who had now dedicated her life to being his servant and protector. What struck me about the situation was that neither resented the reversal. Mr. R was content, even saying that he had learned more about life and about his Savior in weakness than he had ever understood when strong. Mrs. R was devoted and kind, using her gifts to support him and ease his suffering. There was no pining or chafing in the circumstances, just contentment and service. Seeing them there, in their home setting--caring for one another, happy in their faith, triumphing in difficulties--made an indelible impression on me.
On
Why would I write such a story to begin a new year? Because I see in Mr. and Mrs. R two lives that made a difference. When the R's were strong and in their prime, they were dedicated to serving their fellowman. When Mr. and Mrs. R were in their difficulties and weaknesses, bright and clear grace was shining in their lives. Mr. R's wheelchair was not a handicap; it was a setting for the gem that God was creating in the pressure and heat of his life. Mrs. R's service was not confinement; it was an example of a life well-used to bring blessing to others. People who spent time with this couple were not the same when they left. Visitors were changed for the better, seeing in Mr. and Mrs. R God's grace and the blessing of a life of faith.
Thinking about Mr. and Mrs. R makes me hopeful as I begin 2009. Who knows what this year will bring? We yearn for prosperity and blessing, untainted by difficulties or disappointments. We forget that God's grace can bring richness and surprising triumphs from unlikely circumstances.
May the lives that touch yours and mine this year be the better for it.
