By April Terry (personal blog http://faithwarming.blogspot.com)

“God bless you,” I said, which is something that I tell each one of our seniors every time I greet them. It’s become a natural phrase for me, almost without thinking, yet still carrying with it all the meaning and intent of a true blessing. It’s a hope that each one I greet will feel the presence of God’s Spirit. Usually, I get a “you, too” but this lady looked at me with a smiling intent, and said, “God has blessed me.” My statement suddenly had become more than I had thought it could be.

“Yes he has,” I agreed with a broad smile, and then she pointed to the Star of David hanging from the zipper of her jacket. I acknowledged that she was Jewish and then she explained that she was used to attending church with her Lutheran friend and that she often attended other churches as well at times. It made her no less Jewish, but it did make her more accessible. Then, she raved about our service, telling me that it was the most unique service that she had ever seen and expressed her amazement at the power of our ministry.

We talked about her own history of ministry at the City of Hope and she told me how she felt that God had placed her in the current facility to help the others around her. I agreed and told her that she must keep being a light to others. She was so spiritual, so in tune with God. She accepted the differences in our faiths as if they were nothing more than slight disagreements. She was a real, live, God-loving woman of faith and she recognized and appreciated the same in our fledgling group as well even though we were Jesus lovers. I felt all barriers between our two faiths dissipate. People in ministry have a common bond, something that unites us in our goal of lifting up others.

Ministry has changed me. It has taken me from being a person of circumstance to a person of intent. I have gone from the randomness of unexpected connections to a more purposeful way of living, a way where I look forward to making my next connection. That’s what I did later this afternoon when I met Clint. He was in the third senior facility we went to, and he was a new face. He came in after our service, so I teased him that he missed the music, but still got the ice cream reward. He laughed, then he twinkled back and said that he was just being smart. So, I laughed at that and visited with Clint for a while and told him how much I liked his name. He asked me if I would be coming back, and I promised that I would if he promised to come back as well. It seemed like Clint and I made a connection and I got the feeling that Clint didn’t take to people automatically. I got the feeling that he warmed up to folks slowly.

I didn’t convert either Clint or my new Jewish friend today. I didn’t start pumping bible verses at them or working on them to believe like I do. If I did that, I would’ve lost their attention. Instead, I listened a lot, and allowed their differences to be acceptable in my presence. My goal is get others to trust me, but I don’t hide my faith. I wear it with pride in my language and in my smile, but I don’t paint other people’s walls with a faith they aren’t ready for or try to redecorate the lives of others with my beliefs. Instead, I just accept that God is the real designer of all things spiritual and he knows better than I do what needs to be done in the hearts of others. Not everyone I meet needs to be saved. Sometimes, they just need to have their hand held, to see a big smile, and to recognize a heart open enough to love them just the right amount.