Whatsoever State
"In closing, I leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul as found in Phillipians 4:11: 'For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.' There are plenty of things in this world to grumble about, but when we can be thankful for the good things around us and become content knowing that everything is in God's capable hands, we will find the peace we so desperately long for - the peace that passes all understanding. You are dismissed. Go with God."
The twenty-some residents attending Lazy Days Chapel Sunday morning service rose from the pews and shuffled toward the door. "Good message, Pastor Jerry", Dolly said, eyes twinkling as she reached to shake his hand.
"Now, Dolly, you know you don't have to call me that", Jerry protested modestly, his face turning a nice shade of crimson.
"There are plenty of things in this world to grumble about, Pastor...", Dolly quoted.
Jerry chuckled. "Point taken. You better hurry, Dolly. I ran a bit over. You don't want to miss lunch. Don't worry, I'm right behind you." Jerry picked up a stray song sheet, turned off the main light leaving only the backlit cross on the wall softly glowing. Pastor Jerry, he thought. Has a nice ring to it. He pulled the chapel door shut and quickened his pace as he stepped into the hall so he might catch up with Dolly.
The cafeteria at Lazy Days was a banquet-style room large enough to accomodate the 53 residents who dined there all in one seating. The cafeteria was open from 12-1 then closed until dinner time so it was not uncommon for all the residents to be in the room at the same time. For this reason, the cafeteria often doubled as a meeting hall.
Jerry had just gotten his meatloaf and mashed potatoes and found an empty seat to the right of Nick, Dolly seated at Nick's left, when the PA system crackled to life. "Attention all Lazy Days Residents", Ms. Winter's clear voice filled the room. "Please remain in the cafeteria today as I have an announcement which will affect all who reside at Lazy Days. No need to be alarmed. I just need to speak to you all. Thank you. Enjoy your lunch."
"Enjoy our lunch?" Nick grumbled. "Every Sunday for lunch it's meatloaf and mashed
potatoes and every Sunday for dinner, it's fried chicken. Hasn't she ever heard that variety is the spice of life?"
Jerry and Dolly looked across Nick at each other and chuckled, thinking of that morning's lesson. Always something to grumble about, Dolly thought to herself. Nick hadn't been in the service and hadn't heard the message. Too bad, Dolly thought.
Whispers and murmurs filled the room that was usually pretty quiet except for silverware scraping, the clinking of ice in glasses and an occasional slurp here and there. "What's going on, Helper Holly?" one of the residents asked as Holly pushed in a chair beside him.
"Yeah, you're one of them", Bill said, not disrespectfully. "You got the inside scoop?"
"Not this time, fellas. I'm going to have to wait and see just like you are."
"Great - we're in trouble", Nick complained.
"In trouble for what?" Jerry asked.
"Anything - everything. They're always looking for some reason to get onto us here."
"Nicholas! Shame on you!" Dolly scolded. "You know that's not true". Dolly and Jerry swapped glances again, this time no longer amused.
Ms. Winter's announcement sure stirred things up, Jerry thought. He pushed the thought aside and attacked his meatloaf with gusto.
At 1:00, Ms. Winters walked in with a microphone. She walked to the front of the room and waited until the last of the trays had been put up and each resident had returned to his seat. "Thank you all for staying", she began. "I'll only keep you a few minutes."
"I'm already missing Laugh-In. Take all the time you want", came Nick's snide remark, not far enough under his breath. Dolly stomped on his toe under the table and gave him the look. Yes, THAT look. Nick knew better than to say another word.
"As some of you may have heard", Ms. Winters continued, "the government has shut down two retirement homes in our city...Sunshine Acres and The Family Tree." Dolly caught Holly's eye and they nodded, knowingly. "Those residents have to live somewhere so they've been divided up among the three remaining retirement homes. Because we are smaller and not fully staffed, only 15 of them will be coming here. A bus will arrive this afternoon. I am asking you each to make these new arrivals feel welcome and at home. They've been displaced, uprooted from everything familiar and separated from some of their friends. Please put yourselves in their shoes and welcome them to the Lazy Days family. That's all. Thank you for your time." Ms. Winters was mobbed by residents with questions as she tried to leave the cafeteria.
Holly hurried over to Dolly. "Gram, did you hear? Sunshine Acres and The Family Tree!"
Just six months ago, the two had visited Sunshine Acres, saw its dilapidated condition and left before seeing a soul. They had crossed The Family Tree off their list of potential homes for Dolly before even visiting it due to its poor reputation for its treatment of its residents.
"Can't say I'm surprised", Dolly replied. "Thank the Lord He led us here instead of there." Holly nodded in agreement.
Ms. Winters was waiting at the white French doors when the city bus pulled up at 3 pm. She enlisted Helper Holly and Pastor Jerry to help her greet the new residents and show them around the facility. Ms. Winters introduced herself, shook each hand, then retired to her office. Holly led the group with Jerry bringing up the rear to make sure no one took a wrong turn or got lost. After the tour of the building and grounds, Holly would show the women to their rooms and Jerry would take the men to theirs.
"Welcome to the Lazy Days Retirement Home", Holly began. "Here at Lazy Days there is nothing you have to do but soak up the sun, visit with other seniors and enjoy your retirement." The group was strangely silent as the tour proceeded, each new arrival looking around with big eyes, soaking in the new surroundings.
As they entered the common room, Holly led the group toward the coffee area. "There's coffee here 'round the clock and cookies in the afternoon. You'll have to try the peanut butter - they're the best!"
One man in the group watched Nick take a sip of the coffee he had just poured, then poured down the sink. "Ugh!" Nick whined. "This coffee's strong enough to choke a horse!" The man raised his hand.
"Yes, Mr...Belcher, was it?" Holly called to him. The man nodded.
"Is that REAL coffee?"
"Why, yes, of course", Holly replied.
"At Sunshine Acres they couldn't afford REAL coffee", the man explained. "We got instant grounds stirred into lukewarm water, and only on Sundays. REAL coffee! What a treat!" Nick hung his head and walked away feeling suddenly ashamed of his criticism of the coffee.
"All of you - help yourselves to coffee and cookies", Holly invited.
A skinny woman with sunken eyes tugged on Holly's sleeve. "No, miss, we caint have cookies. They makes us hyper. Then we's too loud and the guards will hit us." Holly's eyes filled with tears. This poor woman must be from The Family Tree, she thought.
"Not here Miss Hill", Holly replied, looking at the name tag on the frail woman's worn dress. "Not here".
That night after dinner, Jerry went to the chapel for a little peace and quiet. He almost didn't notice Nick sitting in the dark. "Nick? What are you doing here? Are you alright?" Jerry noticed that Nick had been crying.
"No wonder those homes were closed", Jerry sighed. "We're in a much better state here than where they have been."
"And all I did was grumble and complain. What kind of person am I?" Nick's voice was thick with self-loathing.
Jerry put his arm around Nick's shoulder and said, "The Bible says we have to learn to be content in whatsoever state we find ourselves."
"What if I'm incapable of learning? What if this is who I am?" Nick asked with disgust.
"The Bible has the answer to that too. It says, 'If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away and all things have become new."
"Can I be in Christ?" Nick asked, wiping his tears on his sleeve.
"You sure can", Jerry replied. He took Nick's hands in his and proceeded to lead his second resident to the Lord.
The change in Nick after that night was obvious. He rarely grumbled. He was thankful. One might say he was content. The newcomers adjusted well to their new home, not a one of them taking for granted the blessings that abounded at Lazy Days. They, too, became content.
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