Listening is a communication skill that we are now lacking. The homebound sick need more than just fruit baskets, they need our understanding and care. – Theresa’s story
The homebound sick are among the most marginalised.
My name is Theresa, I’m 62. I became interested in visiting people, especially the homebound, when I got to know more people of different backgrounds. I listen to their family problems, hear about their ups and downs in their life, feel their loneliness and learn how they have given up on life, whenever I visit
them. The bible verse, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few” in Matthew 9:37, struck and bothered me. I felt this verse doesn’t apply only to the religious but also to lay people . So, I started visiting the young and old, and anyone who needs a friend regardless of their age, race or religion. I became a good listener and companion to those who needed care and attention.
During my visits, I not only talk to the homebound person, but also to the caregiver. A caregiver could be a family member or a hired person. They usually have an emotional attachment to the person they are taking care of. Some of them look after the homebound as an obligation, but there are others who do it, out of love and compassion. The homebound, who are completely or partially dependent on their caregivers, often feel sad and depressed. It is difficult for them to believe that their caregivers are doing it out of love and don’t see them as a burden.
It takes a lot of patience and sacrifice to take care of the bedridden, but it is satisfying to see that they are well, and that we have done our best for them.
The caregivers or the family members of the homebound need someone to listen to them too. They have much to share and need to be appreciated, valued and respected for the work of God they are doing.
Besides those being homebound due to sickness, there are people who are not able to leave their house because of financial issues. They have no direction, and are hopeless and clueless on what to do to fix their problems. People like this are often pushed into such situations when they lose the breadwinner of their family due to death or sickness, who are no able to provide for the family.
A visit that I can’t forget is to a family of a single mother with five children who had gone without food for five days. Yet, the children were so cheerful when I went to their house. I saw how grateful they were despite the little they had. Despite being a non-Christian, the mother welcomed me into her home so gracefully and accepted the provisions I had brought for them. The mother was in tears and gave me a hug saying “I asked and He provided, I believe in Jesus.” Jesus listens to their prayers too.
I’m so touched every time I visit. People are not only poor materially; but spiritually, mentally and emotionally too. When we bring provisions for them, we must prepare ourselves to be a good friend to them. Listen to them, try to lighten their burden, tell them some words of affirmation and these will give them hope to continue living. Our moral support can give them the confidence to rebuild their lives. When we let Jesus work through us, we can be the small spark for them to keep going.
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me. – Matthew 25:36
