Assisted Living Look Out

They sit so innocently on their new back porch in their independent living apartment on the lovely grounds of the Assisted Living Manor. Residents pass by and welcome them. New residents in the independent living apartments are a thing to rejoice over, an exciting change in the sometimes lonely dailiness of life when distant children cannot help fill the quiet.

No one there suspects anything, as they see the new couple on the porch with their doting daughter. They seem pleasant, and nice.

The new couple joins in the morning activity. Nothing is required of them but to sit and listen to the entertainmet. All is still peaceful and as it should be on the campus for the elderly.

The music of some talented volunteers washes over the group. Everyone is glad the newcomers have joined them,  and are glad to see how eager they are to attend the wide array of activities the manor has to offer. No one yet suspects what is to come.

Lunch is over and it is time for the "current events discussion group." Those of us who have known my Dad for many years feel a twinge of concern. To say Dad has strong polittical and social views would be like calling the Titanic voyage a little sail in the moonlight. The moderator, with some apparent prescience, reminds the group that views should be expressed without demeaning others, and also briefly. She repeats this admonition several times. When it is Dad's turn to discuss the recent Republican debate, it all starts innoculously. But soon, it expands into a soliloquy of the destruction of our society, the welfare system abominations, the price of gold, and the outrage of  fraudulent television ads that promise one thing for minimal cost and then gouge the consumer with shipping and handling fees. Other residents are peering at the new couple with glazed eyes. I am rescued by a phone call I must answer and scurry away. I still hear his voice as I hurry down the hall.

I believe the sleepy manor has been jolted awake.

Here is the spiritual parallel. So many of us sleep walk through life and most tragically, through the opportunities to know, love, honor, and worship God. We may go through the motions of living, but know deep down that as we lazily, and sometimes even sadly greet each day, something is missing. God warns us that there will come a rude awakening. He will snap us out of our complacency one way or another. The longer we ignore or resist, the stronger His rousing of our somnolent souls will be. Take heed. Awaken now to the call of your Creator.
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Revelation 3: 14-22

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.