For nine months I’ve visited, and for nine months I’ve prayed. Little did I know that today was the day.
I waltzed into the old folks home like always, anticipating friendly smiles and warm hellos.
"Wait, where's Mrs. Julia?” I said to the almost empty community room. "She's in her bed."
It was there I found her, sound asleep. I lightly put my hand on her shoulder to pray and she immediately opened her eyes with the brightest smile – ear to ear. Everything about her was glowing, and I almost lost it. At that moment, I could only imagine the joy that overcame her as her wrinkled face lit up the room. This is why I go – one breath of life can change everything in an instant.
We chatted as we always do, but this time I didn't even have to ask questions. Something sparked a memory from 1948.
"When I was a little girl, I was chosen to take a special trip all the way from Lawrenceville to Atlanta (30 miles). That was a big deal back then. It was me and three teacher's kids who were chosen from our town. I don't understand why I was chosen, but it was such a privilege. I came from a very poor family and don’t know why they chose me, but I won second place at the Georgia State Fair Spelling Bee that year. And to think, I was up against a bunch of smart kids. I wasn't very educated, you know…"
She raved about it for a while and kept saying, "I still can't understand why I was chosen, a poor little girl that wasn’t very educated. I just can’t understand, why me?”
“…and I always think if I’ve done things right or wrong to deserve anything in my life. I don’t feel like I did much with my life, like I didn’t make a difference at all."
Holy Spirit began to speak to Julia as I ministered to her for a bit. All of a sudden, I saw a flicker – a light that may have just come on for the very first time. It was no longer about whether she did things right or wrong but about being celebrated by the Father as His favored daughter (Luke 15:31-32) – receiving His love with open hands.
Julia's unworthiness was no longer in question because it had been confronted with the righteousness of God (Luke 7:36-50).
I began to pray over Julia and she completely lost it.
Upon our first exit, the tears of joy began to flow as she said between the sobs, "I feel so… unworthy! Unworthy to be… loved like this. Why me? Why have I been chosen? And for you to come back for so long to spend time with me… to get to know me… to love me. I came from such a poor and undeserving family, but after all these years I feel like I matter. I don’t understand why I was chosen, but it makes me feel so important… so special, and not forgotten. I feel so loved…”
Today I saw joy, a peace that overflowed.
And good news is, it only takes once.
Just before walking out, Julia wiped her tears to give one last smile.
Please pray for Mrs. Julia.
