11TH OCTOBER

MAKE TIME FOR THE SICKMAKE TIME FOR THE SICK

“I was sick and you visited me.”

(Matthew 25:36)

                                         

In our youth, many of us work long hours. Some party till the early hours of the morning and eat any kind of food – junk or healthy; yet, we are hardly sick. As we grow older, however, our backs hurt when we sit for long hours. We begin to watch what we eat as we may begin to develop chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, joint pains, etc.

The Roses have been carrying out quarterly medicals, with diagnostics and medicines for hypertension, diabetes, pains etc. We also have conducted free screening for HIV, as well as breast and cervical cancer, for almost a decade now. Thanks to all our partners.

Sickness is an unhealthy condition of the body and mind. Most often, people who are physically sick acknowledge their illness and with available opportunities consult a doctor, pharmacist or medical personnel. At such times, most need visits, time, love and care.

However, it takes much more for a person who is mentally ill to know and acknowledge it and so many do not seek help till it is too late. There are increasing cases of suicide among youths. These are obviously cases of mental illness which no one probably noticed earlier. The Roses visit secondary schools, tertiary institutions and youth homes. We hold youth holiday and schools seminars on various topics. In some of the homes we visit, we realise that the young ones who see us as mentors are more able to confide in us than in their caregivers. In one of our seminars, we got them to write their challenges anonymously. A lot of questions we addressed were issues we could not imagine they knew about. There was a time when every neighbour cared for every child on the street. We may not be able to do that now but we can ask God for opportunities to encourage, counsel and bring healing through the love of Christ to youths. Parents should also look out for changes in our children

ACTION: Be available for the sick physically and mentally and even the just plain lonely. Pray for the sick and believe God for healing.

PRAYER: : Lord, quicken me to perceive and meet the needs of the sick around me.