Death Paid a Visit

From my nursing home days:


                                                               Death paid a visit today

He was sudden, pushed the man over

He didn't stay,

Still the presence stalks the hallway.

Death lingers in the air

They're old, they're sick.

They lay in their beds

or sit in a chair.

They hear Death comes in three

and wonder is the next one “me.”

Death stalks the hallway

Looking in the rooms

for the infirm, the lonely

The one wondering will it be “me.”

Some bodies can't move

in a diseased grip

Yet even paralyzed, they feel pain

Others give up, missing loved ones

who died before

Wives, sisters, brothers, friends

Sometimes parents call from the other end.

They dwell on what's it like to die.

They ask me- I don't know.

What's it like to die in your sleep?

I don't know.

Some say peaceful.

I hope, but I don't know.

Do you know Jesus?

Yes, I believe in God.

But do you know Jesus?

I must ask. I must.

I scuttle away.

I don't want Death today.

I want life.

I want them to want life.

To live until they die.

I look for bright faces.

As they sit in their chairs

or lie in their beds.

I don't want to see despair.

When Death lingers in the air.

They let him play with their heads

as they lie in their beds.

Am I scared of Death?

No, I get mad as he plays.

He goes away for a while.

But then he stays.

Death, where is your victory?

Death, where is your sting?

I must remind them,

Jesus conquered the grave.

For your life He paid.

It's a threshold we step over.

Into their feeble ear,

I'll lean closely with words clear.

To reassure them; Life is best.

But in Jesus' love, trust and rest.

And that is why I'm in long term care.

God has left me there

To share a smile and a tear

and help some see this way clear.

I lost my path, I hated this path

with all its offenses.

They can be selfish, self-centered and

aggravating- worse than children

cause they have it no more to learn and retain.

They only know “me” as a refrain.

Yet sometimes love comes in a smile,

a hug, a thought for someone other than “me.”

They return to younger days,

before it was just “me.”

Help them. Help them to see,

the Jesus in me.

Jesus loves the little children.

You must be like a little child.

Give them back faith and sight to believe.

Jesus tells me to “Remind them of Me.”

“They may have heard of Me

in dusty old churches, or heavy incense,

rituals, recited prayers and beads.

Point them to Jesus, the Living,

Who takes away fear and loves them.”

Don't give up

don't focus on “me.”

Show them Jesus

living in “me.”

I'm tired now.

Let me sleep,

refresh me Jesus

to feed Your sheep.