Lent Post: Convalescent Home

Salvete.

I used to sing for a convalescent home ministry when I was younger. Now that I'm older, I don't seem to have the time, but today I managed to clear enough time to go there. It was good to be back, and no one can match the gratefulness of these elderly folk. They were full of energy today, and many of them seemed young and vibrant. It gave me time to reflect.

This ministry came from my old church. Unfortunately, most of the folks from my old church didn't care so much, so only two or so people went besides me and my family. Not much as changed in particular, it's still our small band, only that my family has moved churches. Needless to say, there were awkward moments, but it's good to converse with old friends. Our group pastor, about the same age as many of the convalescent home residents, gave his sermon as usual.

I admit that I felt uncomfortable as he was giving the sermon, even though I had no need to. It felt like the stereotypical, traditionally Christian sermon, and among the topics covered were how tolerance and political correctness were bad. I just feel uncomfortable whenever I see politics being dragged outside its sphere of influence. Don't get me wrong; inside the political sphere of influence, I'm as bold and as ambitious as possible. I just don't like conversations without politics suddenly being force-fed politics, especially when I disagree with the political views presented. It's not like that's a bad thing, though; politics is the study of the fate of the world, and so it naturally applies to everything on this earth. Besides, the Bible supports a lot of conservative values, such as intolerance to other faiths and boldness in the face of political correctness. Regardless, I felt uncomfortable. Perhaps that's a weakness of mine when it comes to defending my beliefs and voicing my opinion. Perhaps it's a strength.

There was a surprisingly large number of folks at the convalescent home. At face value, this seemed like a great thing; more people were at the service. After reflection and conversation with family, though, it turned into a bad thing. Either families had so little respect for their elders or were pressured so much by the twists and turns in the economy (many of them caused by liberals) that they neither had the time nor money to care for their elderly. Either way, society has taken a turn for the worse. Nonetheless, I will continue to sing at the convalescent home.