You say it best when you say nothing at all.

The Respected Guests.

Guests enjoying the games.

I would start by quoting few lines from the famous song "When You Say Nothing at All" written by  Paul Overstreet & Don Schlitz.

It's amazing how you
Can speak right to my heart.
Without saying a word
You can light up the dark.

Try as I may, I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing.

I have been trying hard to write about my experience at Abiding Savior Church Meals & Blessings.  The experience that if not completely but instantly changed my perspective towards people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the elderly.  I am and will always be thankful to my neighbor Carolyn for opening this window of light in my life.

One day while talking to her she told me that she has been busy planning for meals and blessings. I didn’t have any idea what meals and blessing was all about, I just offered her if she needed any help and she was nice to invite me to the event. She explained me that they prepare lunch and different activities for elderly people with developmental disabilities. At first I was dubious and scared. I asked Carolyn millions of questions like how would I talk to them, how would I offer help if they needed so on and so forth.  And one perfect answer she gave me was; “ You will know yourself”.

It was Sunday, April 13^th and I went to the Easter event at the Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. The volunteers who were busy preparing for the event warmly welcomed me. I was amazed to see so many people of all ages putting there best to make the event successful.  Everything and everybody was so organized and was keen to do anything and everything. I was totally impressed by the two young teens who were putting their heart and soul and running around to do the arrangements. Such pure were their souls that instead of lazing around on Sunday morning at home they were doing this good deed just for God.

 

Enjoying the Lunch

Parachute fun

It was around 11:30 am when the guests started to arrive. Most of them giggled like little kids after seeing all the decorations, gift baskets and games, that was done only for them.  I was assigned to help them creating arts and crafts. I must say I never have encountered such pure and simple souls. The sense of achievement after creating a simple artwork or winning a game was unmatched.  They were just like babies who with just little attention grinned and gleamed.  Some of them told me stories when they were young and also about their kids.  In return of my attention and time they showered me with lots and lots of hugs. Some of them couldn’t talk, but the smile on their faces expressed everything. I can never forget when one of the guests held my hands, kissed them and said everything with his eyes. That very day I felt that a special mix of compassion, empathy and openness has been born inside me.

I left the church and cried like babies. I missed my parents even more who are thousands of miles away. I missed my grand mother who is no more with us. Every nations elderly are very precious. They gave us their lives, time money and everything.  They took care of us when we needed it but when they need us we consider them as burdens on us. They spent thousands of hours listening to our frivolous talks but now we do have seconds to spare for them. Its time that we should cherish, them thank them, because once they leave, their will be only regrets left. We sometimes get so busy in pleasing others, ourselves and our kids that we totally forget the people who have been the most influential.

As God says in Quran, chapter 4, verse 36

“and serve Allah and do not associate any thing with him and be good to the parents and to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the neighbor of (your) kin and the alien neighbor, and the companion in a journey and the wayfarer and those whom your right hands possess; surely Allah does not love him who is proud, boastful;”

Reverend. Steve Leinhos, Ministry Consultant from Bethesda Lutheran Communities quoted few lines from Gospel of Luke in his email to me:

“I am reminded that Meals and Blessings ministry is like that described in 
Luke 14:12-14:

¹² Then Jesus said… “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

One does go out of their way to please their superiors, relatives etc. to earn favors. But, I was amazed that by giving a little bit of my time to people who could not repay me, made a huge difference in my life. It fulfilled the quench of my soul. It helped me to be more grateful to God for the gifts He has given me. And yes Carolyn was right when she said, “ you will know yourself”

Million Dollar smile

The Smile on your face

Lets me know that you need me.

There’s a truth in your eyes.

You say it best when you say nothing at all. (Paul Overstreet & Don Schlitz)