One day, after my lesson, my piano teacher asked me if l wanted to help her and her friend with a sing-along at the local nursing home. They did this every Tuesday. At the time I was in fourth grade and was a little nervous. I asked my mom if I could go even though the sing-along was in the middle of the day. Since I was being homeschooled, my mom thought it would be a good idea for me to help.
That simple invitation kick-started an addictive ministry. For the next two years I sang and played piano at the nursing home every single Tuesday. When I turned eleven, my teacher asked me to play for Sunday Mass once a month there. Now, I happily continue that service and love it more than anything else I do musically.
My piano teacher’s simple invitation is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Why? Because when I began to help I was worried and afraid about interacting with the elderly. But it taught me about the dignity of each person. God tells us not to be afraid numerous times in the Bible; and he meant it. As I got to know the residents and listened to their stories my fear melted rapidly.
This ministry gave me so much more than a simple opportunity to practice my music skills. I learned to see Christ in all people, even those that I thought couldn’t understand me. I soon found that these people understood me better than some others because they had wisdom and experience due to their age. I’ve grown close to many of them. The nursing home residents have dignity and deserve my absolute best. From the start I could tell that they loved me. I just loved them back.
I have been serving at the nursing home in multiple ways for six years now. God has blessed me in more ways than I could possibly imagine. I love being there, working with the residents and experiencing Christ through the music I play and his people gathered to enjoy it. I have learned that if God calls a person to do something, nothing—not even fear—can overcome God’s grace. Love always conquers fear, and then joy abounds.
—Marie V.
Our talents are gifts from God. As such, we must accept these gifts in order to use them. What talent is God inviting you to put at the service of the Church? How can you bring your skills to the next level, and what would you do with what you’ve learned?
Recognizing the dignity each person has is one of the greatest things we can do for one another. How is God asking you to look beyond your preconceived notions in your actions toward and with others?