Today has been a good day...

I went to work, taught my classes, and came home. I have talked with my daughter about a pet turtle, and even went to PETCO to look at several. She really wants a pet to take care of.

I have prayed today, and God was never far from my mind. Even though I was talking about thermodynamics and other physics-like subjects with students, my mind was not really altogether on my subject matter.

I did not really notice the time that went by today. It seemed to be a hazy experience, like being in the Dentist chair breathing gas- you go through all the motions and even respond correctly to questions, but the experience seems insular. I know I talked to students, and even gave advice on changing classes for a student.

Nothing today was different from yesterday, except that my mind has been working without my permission on a different problem. A different drum beat is sounding in my ears today. My heart has been changed somehow without a good medical reason.

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon going to a facility that cares for the elderly and the infirm.

I helped with the Nursing Home ministry Sunday afternoon, and I met a few people. We sang songs, and I spoke for a few minutes about the salvation brought to man by God that, even though the heavens and Earth would pass away, would never be abolished. Then I spoke about the need for salvation and how salvation can be had easily through obedience to the Word of God. After telling the group about Peter’s instructions for salvation, we closed the service.

Afterward, a man sitting in the very back asked to be baptized. We talked with him, and as he was very elderly, carefully explained repentance and baptism to him. He insisted that he needed to be baptized.

So, yesterday the Pastor and I checked this man out of the facility, brought him to the church and baptized him in Jesus Name.

This gentleman is very aged, and suffering from senility to a degree. He was a helpless individual with no future to speak of. He could not dress himself or get around. Carrying on a conversation was difficult. His time left on Earth may be short. Yet he adamantly wanted to be baptized. He said he wanted all that God had for him.

As he went down in the water, he was focused on the process of holding his nose and breath. When he came out of the water, there was a pronounced change in the look of his countenance and he was emotionally stirred. He said “in the name of Jesus”. He was so happy, and quietly went with me back to the car for the ride back to the home. When I witnessed the change in this man, at the same moment a change occurred in me also.

He listened and obeyed the Word, just as a small child would. He simply accepted what he heard and obeyed.

I have had a good day not because everything is the same, but because everything is different.

I have constantly wondered how this man has been faring, and how the other residents are doing at the nursing home. I have stopped several times today and asked God to care for this man and his needs. I wonder right now how he has done today. I have known this man a total of 48 hours.

What, you may ask, is so profound?

God has answered a prayer today.

My heart is totally changed, completely switched around. I have not worried about work or bills or even food. But I have constantly been thinking about how our newest convert is faring. How the folks at the home are doing.

You might be curious about my mental state right now, but I am fine. Never better.

You see, I have been praying that God would open my heart and fill it with compassion and care for the lost as much as possible. I asked Him to let me “see with His eyes” when I look at people. Just one time, just so I can sense the need of people and feel a small portion of the love that God gives to us.

I now realize that God allowed me to meet this fellow at the nursing home, and help get him to the church, and He let me see the change in his life in order to let me “see”. It has taken me a day to figure it out, but there is no doubt. I cannot shake the feeling in my heart. I cannot get the image of that change in the face of this man out of my mind. I feel such an intense desire to go back and talk to each one of those folks in the home. To find out how they are doing. Is all well with them today?

I think I know to a small degree how God sees a lost soul, and how He is concerned. A small measure no doubt, but enough. I am changed forever.