At the nursing home where I work, we took a bus trip this summer with some residents. Two ladies sat next to each other. We grabbed some DQ blizzards and drove through some historic sites and the state park. The entire drive, Lady 1 would say the same phrase on repeat. Turning periodically towards Lady 2, she would ask, “What’s your name? Where did you live? My name is So-and-So.” After the tenth time of Lady 1 repeating herself, Lady 2 finally blurted out, “I know what your name is!” Her patience only went so far. It was hilarious to listen to.
Working in a nursing home, I often come face to face with so many life questions. Wisdom and aging, beauty and decline in one place tend to make you think. The back 9 of their life while I approach the inevitability of my own back 9, has a way of jolting me awake. And it is so humbling and good for me.
One of the most endearing qualities of lovely Lady 1 is that she does repeat herself. All the staff know her by it. All love her for it. She has a nice booming voice too, so the entire hallway hears. She is also filled with joy. Most of what she bellows puts a smile on your face. No filter. But wonderful.
If I reach that wheelchair, and spend most of my days alone, save a few visitors now and again, I want her joy. I also want repeated phrases that makes people smile. What will it be? I am a little nervous to guess! My kids would say I already have a few annoying phrases to boot. They have a section on our white board in the kitchen that says, “Mom’s word of the month,” because apparently, I repeat myself? I apparently repeat myself.
What will my lips repeat?
A few Scriptures come to mind that may help form me into maybe (?) this future woman in a wheelchair I want to be:
“Store up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O LORD, God of hosts.
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34
Whatever deposit I am storing up, not only reaps benefits now, but also will grant me a godly character and hopefully an encouraged future audience…whether they want to hear it or not. If the good Lord doesn’t take me home before, and I am going to age into a wheelchair, I might as well make it count when I’m there. But it starts now. And I pray. And I hope. That in that season the meditations of my heart will flow into my repeated words, bring him glory, and maybe surprise a few folks with the joy that can only come from reverberations of his love.
What do you want the future wheelchair you to say?
-KDB
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