The parson was walking down the hallway of the nursing facility after visiting a member. He passed a “Day Area” where a man and his resident dementia wife sat watching TV. The parson stopped and greeted them.
“You’re the parson, aren’t you?” the man asked.
“I am,” said the parson. “I”m sorry I didn’t get your name.”
“Mitchell,” the man said, “but everyone calls me Mitch. this is my wife Ella.” The parson greeted Ella but she only made a incoherent babble. “I’m sorry,” said Mitch, “since the stroke she’s been this way.”
“How long has Ella been here?” the parson asked.
“We’re going on two years,” said Mitch.
“It must be hard on you,” the parson said.
“Oh, it’s not too hard,” said Mitch, smiling. “But I do watch a lot more television than I used to.” Mitch stood. “Parson, can I ask you a favor?”
“Sure, Mitch,” the parson responded.
“Do you know a young pastor named Billy Elder?”
“I do,” said the parson. “He was ordained last year. He’s the pastor of Pleasant Valley Church.”
“Well, that young man comes here at least once a week. He visits with a woman down on the south wing who’s a member of his church. Every time he passes by here he stops and talks with Ella and me. He treats her with such respect and spends time encouraging me. You know, Parson, probably fifty or sixty people a day pass by here. And no one bothers to take the time to sit and talk and to just give us some company. So, I was wondering if you would take the time, whenever you can, to let that young man know how very much we appreciate it.”
The parson thought a moment and responded, “I tell you what, Mitch. I’ll make it a point to spend a little time with Bill and let him know he’s being true to his calling. But if you really want to uplift that young man, Mitch, you should tell him what he means to you. I’ve got to tell you, Mitch, Bill Elder is a wonderful pastor, and he will continue to be throughout the years. But not many folks are going to take the time to appreciate his ministry to his face. I’ll tell him, MItch, but if you don’t object I’ll wait a couple of weeks so you’ll have the opportunity to tell him first.”
About that time Ella started talking to the parson in a flow of unrelated words. The parson stepped over to let her have her say. when she’d finished her part of the conversation, the parson shook her extended hand and then turned to Mitch. “Think about it, Mitch. You have no idea what telling that man how you appreciate him will empower him in the future.”
Ella said, “Good-bye.” The parson noticed her attention now concentrated on the show starting on the TV and took the hint.
with a short amount of time, pastored 3 people,
amazing
Posted by: MMP | April 09, 2010 at 07:19 AM