Lake Region

Ruth Henry, a divorcée with one daughter, was working as a claims examiner for the Social Security Administration when she suffered a disabling heart attack. Her twilight years found her wheelchair bound, waiting for life’s end in a nursing home. While there, she reflected on her life.

Ruth remembers always believing in Jesus. She recalled taking a religion class at a junior college in her youth, where she met a kind Seventh-day Adventist pastor. Though his name was a blur, she remembered what he told her about the Sabbath and it was forever etched in her memory. “Cast your bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1).

Ruth smiles when remembering her young life. She says she lived life in the fast lane, but slowed down after a heart attack forced her into an early retirement. Doctors advised rest and no stress; however, a family crisis left her grandchildren homeless. The doctor advised her to not take the children. But Ruth, not knowing why, prayed to God. Without another thought, Ruth took her grandchildren and raised them.

At this point in her life, Ruth says she still had some holes in her relationship with Jesus. Deteriorating health forced Ruth to move in with Gloria, her daughter, who also became ill and could no longer take care of her mother. So Ruth moved into the nursing home. With unanswered questions, she often asked God, “Why?” No answer came.

The Beacon of Joy Adventist Church in Chicago, Ill., had visited nursing homes for 20 years. The programs were “cute,” the singing good, and the sermonettes adequate. But the same church members were getting weary. After meetings to decide whether the ministry should continue, it was determined they wouldn't discontinue the nursing home visits altogether, but would just visit now and then. Little did they know that on one particular day the Lord had decided to do something special. “And we shall not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

The visit started out like all the others with songs, testimony, and a sermon. Ruth was there, and soon everything became clear to her. She says she again felt a “presence,” and an urgency to know Christ. Instead of staying till death in the nursing home, she was reborn.

Now Ruth sees things clearer. She sees Christ-ordered steps and His continued guidance. She sees that God loves her so much He did not want her to die without knowing Him. She sees that her ill-health, her grandchildren's crises, and even life in the nursing home were all opportunities from the Lord to get to know Him better. On August 7, 2004, Ruth was baptized.

While still not understanding everything, she knows that one day she will look into the face of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Will her daughter and grandchildren follow in her footsteps? Ruth is not sure. But there is one thing Ruth is very sure of … there is no greater love.

Nothing can or will happen in our life that was not designed to work for our good! (See Romans 8:28)

Tanya Williams, Beacon of Joy communication secretary