One of the things I got out of the habit of doing in my year off from pastoring was asking people if they had any “glory sightings.” It was simply a way to encourage fellow believers to look for and share where they had seen God at work. What you look for, you see more often.
When I used to ask people about a glory sighting, I found I often wanted to share one myself. Knowing you might be asked about a glory sighting increases the likelihood you will be on the lookout for glory sightings to share. Though they are everywhere to be found, I’ve been out of practice looking for glory sightings. But on Monday night I experienced one. Even though no one asked, here it is.
When I was younger, I used to periodically arrange to visit nursing homes. Many homes were looking for people to interact with their residents, especially residents who never get visitors.
When I used to ask people about a glory sighting, I found I often wanted to share one myself. Knowing you might be asked about a glory sighting increases the likelihood you will be on the lookout for glory sightings to share. Though they are everywhere to be found, I’ve been out of practice looking for glory sightings. But on Monday night I experienced one. Even though no one asked, here it is.
When I was younger, I used to periodically arrange to visit nursing homes. Many homes were looking for people to interact with their residents, especially residents who never get visitors.
The first visit or two, especially, took me way out of my comfort zone, but I was always glad I went. The residents were happy to see me and treated me so well. One resident, Caroline, was especially glad to see me as she was sure I was her husband, and she didn’t want me messing around. I didn’t have the heart to tell her about this wife, Cathy, I had. Every time I left after visiting residents, I felt blessed by them.
The small church I just started co-pastoring with Cathy leads a Monday night worship service at a nearby care facility once a month. When I say worship service, I mean a short prayer, a few verses of scripture, and then a 3–5-minute message. The favorite part of the service for most residents is singing a few hymns at the end of the service. The four or five of us from our church then spend a few minutes visiting with residents who attend.
The small church I just started co-pastoring with Cathy leads a Monday night worship service at a nearby care facility once a month. When I say worship service, I mean a short prayer, a few verses of scripture, and then a 3–5-minute message. The favorite part of the service for most residents is singing a few hymns at the end of the service. The four or five of us from our church then spend a few minutes visiting with residents who attend.
It is always worth going, but this Monday turned in a glory sighting. Normally 8 or 9 residents worship with us. Fourteen were there Monday and several joined us for the first time. The residents laughed at my corny story, and it was a heart-felt laugh, not a pity laugh! After our upbeat voices sang the lyrics, “What a day of rejoicing that will be!” from the hymn When We All Get to Heaven, Cathy couldn’t help but say, “It will be a lot like this.” One of the residents said chills went down her spine at the thought. Our time of fellowship after the service felt different to me Monday. Conversations were both more joyful and deeper. Several of the residents had tears as we talked.
Words can’t do glory sightings justice. But I still think they are worth sharing. I believe we find God in them. I know not everyone reading this believes that, but it is still good to be on the lookout for positive things we can share with each other. It is easy to find the negative when you look for it. There is plenty of it. Let’s encourage each other to look for good. There is plenty of it as well. Let’s be on the lookout for glory sightings.
Words can’t do glory sightings justice. But I still think they are worth sharing. I believe we find God in them. I know not everyone reading this believes that, but it is still good to be on the lookout for positive things we can share with each other. It is easy to find the negative when you look for it. There is plenty of it. Let’s encourage each other to look for good. There is plenty of it as well. Let’s be on the lookout for glory sightings.
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