Take me with You by Michael Wells

On a recent visit to a nursing home to see a neighbor recovering from an illness, I was moved by a brief encounter. As we know, some will return to loved ones, but some will never leave.  After exiting the front door and seeing an elderly woman on a bench, I remarked, "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" She said, "Take me with you." I began to laugh, but as I looked back at her, I could see she was serious. It is the image of her all alone on the bench that I still see in my mind.

There is much to say about this, but I'm impressed to address our aloneness. I'm reminded of a quote in the movie King Saul when the king says, "God leaves us all in the twilight of our years." Age has a habit of making us reflect. We see periods in our life when He was strong in us and around us. Times when we seemed more effective. Times of boundless energy and possibilities for working in the Kingdom. Now many of us are left with memories, some good, some sorrowing, but nevertheless memories.

The world sees value in your abilities but God sees value in your existence.

He will not forget your labors of love or your hours of prayer. He will remember your works done in secret and the sacrifices made for strangers and family. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, "God will not overlook your work or love you have shone for Him in serving others." John tells us of Jesus' promise, "When everything is ready, I will come and get you." Thus, at the close of the day, when we sit on "our bench," we can have the confidence of our request when we say, "Lord, take me with you."