Visiting Grandpa

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:22-27

Every Sunday, Aaron went with his parents to visit his grandpa at the nursing home. “Is Grandpa ever going to get better?” Aaron asked. “Since he had that stroke, he never talks to me anymore.”

“I know,” said Mom. “I’m sure he’d like to, but he can’t. We don’t know for certain, but it’s possible Grandpa won’t be completely well again until he’s in heaven with Jesus. I know it’s hard to see him like this, but remember that, because Grandpa’s a Christian, Jesus will give him a new, perfect body one day. Our job right now is to take good care of him.”

Aaron nodded, then pointed to a photo album Dad was carrying. “Did you bring that to show Grandpa?”

“We think he’ll enjoy seeing the pictures again,” Dad replied.

When they walked into Grandpa’s room, he was sitting in his wheelchair. He looked up but couldn’t say anything. Dad placed the album on the table and opened it. As Mom and Dad talked to him and pointed to pictures, Grandpa stared down at the photos and opened and closed his mouth. Aaron looked away as his mom wiped some dribble from Grandpa’s mouth with a tissue.

“That’s you and me, Grandpa!” Aaron said, pointing to one of the photos. “I was really little then.” He looked more closely. “What were we doing?” he asked his parents.

Dad chuckled. “Grandpa was trying to teach you how to play checkers.”

“You were so little then and didn’t know how to move the pieces,” said Mom, “but you liked it when Grandpa moved them for you.” She laughed. “You kept trying to eat the pieces too.”

Aaron grinned. “Looks like we were having fun.”

The next Sunday, Aaron brought Grandpa’s old checkerboard to the nursing home. He set it on the table in front of the wheelchair. “Don’t worry, Grandpa,” Aaron said. “I’ll move the pieces for both of us.” He put the checkers on the board and began moving them, switching colors every turn.

“Who’s winning?” asked Dad after watching for a while.

Aaron looked up and smiled. “We’re not playing to win. We’re just having fun, aren’t we, Grandpa?” Aaron glanced at his grandfather’s face. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he saw a little smile. • Letitia L. Zook

How About You?

Do you know someone who needs help? Maybe a family member is sick or a friend is going through a hard time. They’re important to Jesus, and you can show His love to them by taking care of them in their time of need. What can you do to lift their spirits? How can you remind them of the hope they have in Jesus?

Today’s Key Verse:
James 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Take care of others