This last week, we spent some time with Rick’s grandma who is 99 in Florida. Just like my mom, one of her big questions, was “Why am I still here?” “I’m ready to go see Jesus.”

We didn’t bring a gift with us and it was hard to decide what she really needed. She does love lemon cookies and lemonade! So we did get that and enjoyed some wonderful meals together.

But I remembered that my mom was in a nursing home for several years and what I did for her was that I made her a notebook. In this notebook, I put bible verses in giant print that she could read with pictures and prayers. So, we started to do the same thing for Rick’s grandma! She isn’t reading much right now and just holding the Bible can be overwhelming when you really don’t know where to start.

But several verses are appropriate and comforting for her right now like:

Philippians 4:6-7:

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God is always calling on us to pray. I encouraged my mom to pray for the workers at the nursing home and their families who were from many different nations. To care about them and show them kindness.

Grandma Bishopp can pray for her neighbors and family members. She has quite a large family.

My mom also has a large Italian family who all need prayers.

Another great verse is Psalm 46:1:

God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble.

The Lord gives us strength for every situation and is close to us whenever we need help.

 Psalm 42:5 “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

This verse was very special for my mom and helped her to forgive people and put her hope in God and praise Him. In fact, when she did this, she was healed of many things, physically and even emotionally and socially several years ago.

The word of God is so powerful. Don’t underestimate what it can do for the elderly people in your life.

Speak words of life to them and encourage them to pray for others as long as they are still here.

Several times when I have sat with people who are close to going to see Jesus in heaven, I ask them if they would like to sing a song.

Many times they say, yes, I want to sing “Jesus Loves Me.”

This is another great thing to do together. I used to sing hymns with my mom and read about who wrote them and what the situation was when the hymn was written. We enjoyed sweet times of worship together in her last years.

So, I encourage you as you spend time with the elderly to help them draw near to God as they wait for Him to take them Home!

Feel free to share any experiences you have had with the elderly and encouraging their faith.