The elderly in our society deserve our respect and admiration. Somewhere America lost the realization that those who have gone before and have accumulated a great deal of life experience are the ones with vast stores of wisdom to offer. We are a youth-focused culture. At Northland, I want to plant the seeds that the older among us have earned a voice and we should listen with attentive ears.

On this night we served this precious segment of our society. For a variety of reasons their home is now The Hampton, an assisted living facility near Willowbrook Mall. (Imagine leaving all you know to close your life in a nursing home. This reality evokes a variety of emotional responses, from the residents, workers, and visitors alike.). Our job was to serve a Thanksgiving meal to the residents, and our students did an amazing job and served with a collective uplifting and outgoing spirit. We were all in black and white to look the part and the tables were each theme-oriented and beautifully decorated by a different volunteer group. The event was wonderful and well-planned.

We did not change the world, but we did remember the Word of God to remember the widows and widowers among us (James 1:27). We did embrace the often unfounded anxiety of nursing homes to instead be the hands and feet of Jesus to an audience so deserving of a warm reminder of His eternal and endless love.

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and God assembled a perfect group of students to serve. Thanks to each of you. On this evening you made God look good by your efforts.

Rich R. Reaves
NCS Campus Minister