Rosie eased her aching body onto the stiff chair. How she longed for her own comfortable sofa at home. Home, where she made her own meals, tended her own garden, fed the birds… She adjusted her posture to ease the pain in her hip. She didn’t want to take any more medication. Glancing at her watch, she grimaced. It would be another hour until lunch would be served in the dining room. The lack of freedom here was stifling.

             Her roommate shuffled into the room with her walker. “How was your PT session?” Rosie asked.

             Emma shrugged. “OK, I guess. It’s pretty hard.”
            “It is, but it’s worth it if I can get them to clear me to go home. I just finished exercising.”

            Emma raised her eyebrows as she crossed the room. “You were exercising before I left for therapy. You broke your hip. You can’t expect it to heal overnight.”       

            “I’m doing my best,” Rosie said. “I’m practicing everything the therapist showed me.”

            Emma settled in the chair across from Rosie. “Aren’t you sore?”
            Rosie frowned. “Well, yes, but how else am I going to get out of here?”

           Emma tilted her head at Rosie, studying her. “Is it really so bad?”

            Rosie huffed. “I miss my house. I love my little cottage. On a beautiful spring day like today, I’d be out in my garden planting flowers and feeding the birds. I haven’t been able to fill my bird feeder in weeks. The poor little things.”

            Emma pointed a finger at Rosie. “You know what the good book says about birds, don’t you? ‘Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.’ I don’t think you have to worry about the birds.”

            Rosie waved her hand. “OK, fine, so maybe the birds don’t miss me. But I still need to get out of here. I make cookies for the neighbors, knit prayer shawls with my Bible study group, help out teaching Sunday school… None of those things are getting done. Why would God want me to sit around and do nothing?”
            Emma’s eyes gleamed. “That’s an excellent question. Why don’t you ask him?”
            Rosie stared at Emma. “What do you mean?”

           “Ask God why you’re here. He clearly has a plan in all this. Ask him to reveal to you why He wants you here in this rehab center. Then be still and listen to His answer. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll close my eyes for a bit before lunch.”

          Emma soft snores soon filled the room, leaving Rosie to consider what she said. It wasn’t a bad idea. Rosie closed her eyes and bowed her head. “Dear God, I’m sorry for all my complaining. Thank you for giving me such good medical care. Thank you for the surgeon and for all the nurses, therapists, and aides who help us in this place. Thank you for giving me such a wise and sweet roommate. Please help me see why you have me here, Lord. Please help me fulfill Your purpose for me, even here.”

         Rosie finished off with an “Amen,” just as a nurse’s aide entered the room, pushing a medication cart.

        “Hello there, Miss Rosie,” Jana said, a bright smile lighting her face.

        “Hello to you, Jana. I wanted to thank you for all you do to take care of me. Your smile really makes a difference in my day. I’m sorry I’ve been difficult. You’re helping me get through a tough situation and I appreciate your kindness each day.”

             To Rosie’s surprise, Jana’s eyes filled with tears.

            “What’s wrong, dear?” Rosie asked. 

            “I just really needed to hear that,” Jana said. “My dad has been on my case lately about how much of a screw up I am. He thinks I should either be making a bunch of money or be married off to someone rich. I’ve been saving up to go to nursing school and I almost gave up that dream, but you’ve reminded me of why I want to be a nurse. Thank you.” Jana handed Rosie a little paper cup with her pills in it and pushed her cart out of the room, humming to herself as she went.

            Rosie’s spirits lifted immediately, and she made her way down the hall toward the lunchroom, where a woman sat, her face downcast. Rosie approached. “Mind if I join you?”

            The woman glanced up, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. “I’d love some company.”

            “I’m Rosie. Are you feeling lonely?”

            “I’m Grace. And yes, that’s an understatement. My husband passed away last month and I fell and fractured my ankle two weeks later. My son and daughter both live out-of-state, so I’m all alone.”

            “I’m so sorry about your husband. I lost my George two years ago.”

            Grace turned to Rosie, her eyes full of hope. “Does it get any easier?”

            “It does. I still miss him, but now I just imagine him playing practical jokes or going bowling with the angels in heaven, and I look forward to the day when I’ll join him up there.” Rosie gestured to the bookcase full of games and puzzles. “Would you like to put a puzzle together? Lunch won’t be served for a while yet.”

            “I’d love that. Thank you, Rosie. You’re exactly what I needed today.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing

God, sometimes it’s hard for us to see past our difficult circumstances, but You always have a plan. Please help us see Your hand in our lives. Help us to make a difference in the lives of those around us. Sometimes a simple word of kindness is all that’s needed to change someone’s outlook. Thank you for taking the trials in our lives and using them for good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.