He’s Close. He Hears. He Listens.

Posted on April 2, 2019 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

Have you ever felt a strong desire just to have someone near, to be heard, to feel valued? I think that’s part of human nature, and we were designed to be in close relationships with others. I volunteer in a local nursing home which specializes in caring for residents who have Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. I have specific responsibilities – I help them eat, I do activities with them, and I clean up the dining area after they go to bed… but the most important thing that I can do, in my opinion, is to listen to them.

People with this disease can be argumentative, happy-go-lucky, confused, quiet… really, anything goes and I help a wide range of patients. Some patients can only say one word, and I have to try to communicate with them through hand motions. Some patients are depressed or scared, and I just sit next to them, rub their back, and let them know I’m there. Some patients love to laugh, so I sit next to them and laugh with them while they’re eating. They just love feeling like somebody cares, that they’re being listened to, and they love feeling loved.

I love all of the residents of this nursing home and I pray for each one… but there’s one woman in particular who stands out to me. For the sake of this Victory Call, we will call her Nancy. Every day I’m there, I ask her:

“Nancy, what did you do today?”

With a big smile, she responds, “Nothing.”

“Did you play Bingo?”

“No.”

“Did you read?”

“No.”

“Did you pray?”

Suddenly, her already giant smile somehow gets bigger. “I prayed!”

“Who did you pray to?”

“I prayed to God.”

She knows that God is near. There are a lot of things she forgets, but she remembers that God loves her and that God hears her prayers.

Just like the patients in this nursing home, we all have a need for relational intimacy with friends and family. We all want to be heard. But the most important One to have relational intimacy with is the Lord. Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know that we have companionship with God? He is near to us, He hears us, and He reminds us that we are never alone. He is not only with us, he resides within us.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

I want to encourage you to take a minute to think about how he resides within us and remember that He is closer than our next breath. He hears us, He loves us, He cares. Really, truly think about it – it’s impossible to wrap your mind around, isn’t it? But it’s also so encouraging and so beautiful – so let’s walk in that truth today, sisters!

Written by Erin Culleny: Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!

The Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 27-29, Hebrews 4| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “The love of a wife to her husband may begin from the supply of her necessities, but afterwards she may love him also for the sweetness of his person; so the soul first loves Christ for salvation but when she is brought to Him and finds what sweetness there is in Him then she loves Him for Himself.” – Richard Sibbes

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4