“Of course I am, Kathy,” Gladys said as she waved me into the room.

“You got your hair done,” I said. “It looks beautiful.” I leaned over her to give her a careful hug, pulled a chair closer to the bed, and sat down. Gladys’s brown eyes crinkled as she smiled again. “You’re a blessing to me, and I thank God every day for you and your visits.”

I leaned over and clasped her hand. “Gladys, you’ve been such a godly mentor, and I’m so honored that we’re friends.” I saw how hard it was for her to be all alone. Gladys never had children to look after her as she aged, and she’d been in the nursing home for almost three years. I was the only one besides the nurses and other residents she saw on a regular basis.

“We finished reading The Hiding Place last week,” I said. “Did you have any particular book you wanted to start this week?”

“No, sweetheart. Whatever you’ve brought with you will be fine with me. I just enjoy listening to you and getting lost in a book.”

Has God been tugging at your heart to reach out and help someone? Maybe He has given you a desire to help the elderly or the poor. Whatever He is prompting you to do, you can be assured that not only will you benefit from being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, but the person you’ll be ministering to will be blessed as well. Mark 12:31 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Making time in your schedule for someone who needs your companionship is pleasing to God.