Reflections on Serving Seniors with Love

Two weeks ago, I started working two jobs at a local retirement community. Several nights a week and occasional weekend days I can be found at the reception desk doing all sorts of things, including answering the phone and responding to emergency pages from residents. When I’m not acting as receptionist, I can be found upstairs waiting tables with a bowtie and a smile. The other day at lunch, one of the residents asked me my name and proceeded to tell me all about the other Tiffany who just started working at the desk downstairs and “Isn’t it incredible that two Tiffanys started working here at the same time!” We had a good laugh when she paused for me to explain that I’m the same person. J

After lunch today, I met a wonderful older lady (which I realize is not uncommon in my line of work.) She had such a sweet smile, but she looked so tired. She let me know that she hadn’t had lunch yet and that she was hoping to get some food. I gave her what she needed to get some lunch, and we exchanged a few more kind words. The light turned green and I drove away as she made her way slowly back to the sidewalk with her cardboard sign.

Tears welled in my eyes as I reflected on the prior two hours of serving gourmet lunches to the residents I have so grown to love. What I would have given to have been able to offer her what they had eaten...

I love that our residents are offered kindness, respect, and loving care. It is my pleasure every day to do everything in my power to honor, enjoy, and serve the residents with whom I work, and I look forward to becoming better able to bless them as I learn their names and their needs.

And I hate that this woman’s financial situation excludes her from such treatment. It was my honor to speak briefly with her, and I regret that I did not find a way to offer her more than a few kind words and the means to buy food.

There is a tragic imbalance in the treatment of rich and poor, and I am reminded of James’s words:

My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. (James 2:1-6, NASB).

I am convicted by this.  

I know what my company does is a very good thing and I am incredibly blessed to work there, but there are too many people in Memphis and all over the world who are unseen and dishonored in their poverty. Lots to ponder and pray.