I was especially encouraged and uplifted by a recent visit to the Golden Gate Healthcare Center. It's been almost half a year since a group of us from Praxis 4 started visiting the residents of this convalescent home in San Francisco, where we hold monthly worship service for the residents.
During our last visit visit, we all met an elderly gentleman who seemed crabby and unapproachable. Many of us had never met him before, so we left him alone. Surprisingly enough, he was unusually quiet during our singing time. During the message, he seemed to be listening even more intently. Afterwards, one of us engaged him in conversation and found out that he was a retired preacher. Sadly, he had lost his eyesight just a couple weeks earlier and was having a hard time adjusting to this. But, with resolve in his voice and a smile on his face, he said, "I know God can restore my sight and I will praise him if he does, but even if he doesn't I will still praise him. In fact, as long as I still have a voice I will praise the Lord!"
Amen. I went away encouraged and challenged to live each day with the same resolve. I thought to myself: Here is a man who knows how to finish the race!