April 12, 2006
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A Life of Love: My friend Joe
I am blessed to have the opportunity to lead worship at an assisted living home in Altamonte Springs. We have a wonderful time each Monday evening! There are so many stories of answered prayers! When God called me to serve here I wrestled, “Lord, I’m busy”, “I don’t sing that well”, “are you sure this is what you want me to do?”. I would have never guessed in a million years the blessings I have experienced through my obedience to God! One of those blessings is the people I have come to know and love.
This is Erma, Helen and my friend Joe —->>
I want to introduce you to a friend of mine. His name is Joe. Sadly, Joe passed away this week. Joyfully, I am able to tell you that we will see Joe again
I have known Joe now for three years or more. At 95, he was quite the character! As I would play and sing I could see him often starting to clap and stomp his feet in time with the music. Every time I arrive I first go around and talk with everyone, hug, shake hands, and talk before we start to sing and praise the Lord. Joe always had a great big smile for me, and a warm handshake.
One of the things I cherish most about what I do is hearing the stories of the lives of my friends. I knew that Joe had lived a good life. I met his daughter, Marilyn a couple of years back and could always see the love they shared when I saw them together. Marilyn told me wonderful stories about her father that I would like to share. Joe operated a grocery store that was passed down in his family from father to son, father to son in Maine. She remembered him helping people that had run into hard times like the wife of a man that had an alcohol problem to the point that he was not able to take care of his family well. Joe would let this man’s wife put food on a tab and would hire the husband to work to help pay for it. He didn’t really need any work done but would hire the man to try to help him out of his situation. Marilyn told me that her father was always doing things like this, showing his love for people.
He also loved to sing. Marilyn shared that he would drive and sing and drive and sing and had a wonderful voice. I could have guessed this because at 95, he often responded to our music and singing with smiles, clapping to keep the beat and tapping his toes!
I noticed at the viewing, an antique golf club leaning against the casket. Marilyn told me that at 52, Joe had a series of heart attacks and moved the family to Florida. He took up golf and played every day! Walking the whole way! She shared that he loved the game and only stopped when he started to have a hard time walking the distance, which I believe, was only 5 or six years ago. Joe was quite a man!
One last note, Joe was happily married over 70 years! This alone is a testament of his loving heart.
Joe, thank you for sharing your life with me. Thank you for touching so many other lives around you! We’ll see you on the other side when we assemble our choir in heaven!
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Comments (8)
Great post Jan! I like this for so many reasons.. it shows your passion and heart to help others, it shows the rewards of you being blessed… I love hearing stories like the one you shared about Joe. Thanks
Thank you Tony. I have been incredibly blessed to lead worship at this home and to get to know all these people. Aty first I thought God was asking me to work………it soon became clear that I was the one receiving the blessing…he was asking me to love! Tony, I appreciate you man!
I remember meeting Joe when I used to go and sing with you. I remember his warm handshake and smile. I am glad to know that all his enthusiasm for worship and pure love of people earned him his promotion to the greatest choir ever known. I am sure he’s dancing and singing.. sharing a few of his own songs with everyone right now. I am so happy and proud of what you do for your friends in that home. It’s amazing stuff. God Bless you.
ryc muremavelle: Thanks for the kind words Becky
It was fun when we went over there and sang wasn’t it? I appreciate the times you came with me. They appreciate your heart and your wonderful voice. God smiles everytime he hears you sing!
Thanks Jan for being Jesus with skin on.
I think it’s wonderful that you use your talents like this, Jan! I love the elderly, and have enjoyed working with them I recently started woring out again, at the tender age of 54…so Joe’s story gives me great hope! I haven’t even had a heart attack!
( Oh Lord, please spare me from that!)
Have a great Easter, Jan!
Jim
cool testimony.
What a privilege, Jan! Thanks for sharing this…you have a beautiful family!
blessings…Jim