Page 27 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - October 2018 - 25-10

Faith
Senior Times - October 2018
Page 27
Bringing New Life to Senior Living
“What I love about my job at Brookdale is that I am able to be a part of so many families. When we have
a new resident join us, it is just expanding on the community we have created here and growing the bond shared by family that has seen fit to call our Brookdale their home.” – Kurt Schroeder, Executive Director
Our Services
Assisted Living | Specialized Memory Care Respite | On-Site Physical & Occupational Therapy
Brookdale Battle Creek
Assisted Living Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 191 Lois Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49015-7933 Main 269-979-7781 | Fax 269-979-1514 brookdale.com
BROOKDALE® is a trademark of
Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Nashville, TN, USA.
DO RIGHT DO GOOD
Jim was a wonderful young man with a beautiful wife and three chil- dren. He was going to work one day in February driving north on M-66, and someone crossed the center-line and struck his vehicle head-on. Jim Stoeckley was dead. Vicki and the kids were suddenly without a husband and father. Dan and Margie Joba were suddenly without a son. A true story of pain and loss in Battle Creek. It’s repeated countless times through acci- dents and illnesses – good people who have done nothing wrong are called upon to bear a burden of grief. And
it seems that no one is exempt from this pain of life. That point was shock- ingly driven home to us in the United States 17 years ago by the 9/11 attack on New York and Washington and Pennsylvania by terrorists.
A number of years ago I did a sermon series on, “Questions I’d like to ask God...” and the number one question was this one... “Why does God allow suffering and evil to exist in the world?” The short answer is, God is love.
This really is a good question to ask. And I probably could build a whole series of articles addressing
this topic, but a short answer to this profound question is, God is love. God loves us all so much that he allows us to exercise our free will. He made us in his image, and free will is a foun- dational principle in reflecting God in
God’s world. However, even though people have free will we all are basi- cally imperfect. None of us is God. We sometimes act as though we are, but we don’t have perfect knowledge, understanding, and love. You can even think you’re doing the right thing and still make huge mistakes. The theolog- ical word for this human imperfection is “sin” – which is translated to mean “missing the mark” – aiming at the center of the target but unable to per- fectly hit it... ever!
If God wanted us to act perfectly all the time, I believe he could have done that. But that would essentially make us into robots. Robots cannot love, care, and give the way God does. But people can! And the great news is that people do! In spite of the world unrav- eling around them, you can always find someone doing the right, the good, and the caring thing is this world. This idea was the genious of Mr. Fred Rogers of PBS fame that was noted in the recent movie about him as he was talking to children after the 9/11 massacre. He told the kids that bad things will hap- pen sometimes, but look for the people who are doing good in the middle of the crisis. The policemen, the emer- gency medical technitians, the firemen and nurses. The challenge to all of us, children, youth, and adults is to find a way to be that person today. My prayer for you is that you’ll accept the great love of the Creator that forgives you of your sin – let go of the past – and find the right, the good and the caring thing to do today.
Faithfully yours, ~ Jim Gysel
MATTERS
Rev. Dr. James Gysel, Special to Senior Times
675 Wagner Dr, Battle Creek, MI (269) 969-6244 www.advantageliving.net
Short Term Rehab | Spacious Private Rooms Specialized Alzheimer’s | Dementia Unit
Most Insurances Accepted Including Medicare & Medicaid
Excellent Care For An Independent Life
Impacted by Dementia?
SO MANY REASONS TO HAVE A
MAMMOGRAM
Enjoying precious moments with those you love is one of the top reasons women get screening mammograms starting in their 40s. What’s your reason?
Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and is the second leading cause of cancer death. But, early detection by having a mammogram is proven to save lives.
Protect your health and life’s precious moments.
Schedule your appointment today:
Kalamazoo and Paw Paw: (269) 341-8700 or (888) 741-6415 Battle Creek: (269) 245-8666
South Haven: (269) 639-2828
To learn more, visit bronsonhealth.com/mammogram.
We Need You!
By: Karla Fales, CEO, CareWell Services SW
A community workshop addressing the needs of caregivers and those with memory challenges is coming to Battle Creek on October 24.
CareWell Services and Miles
for Memories have teamed up with Michigan State University School of Social Work to build skills and provide resources to enhance coping strategies for people with memory issues and family caregivers. If you answer yes to any of the following questions then we need your help.
1. Are you experiencing memory
challenges?
2. Do you have mild cognitive
impairment or dementia?
3. Do you care for someone with
memory loss?
4. Do you work with persons with
memory impairment?
Join us on Wednesday, October 24, at the Kool Family Community Center, 200 W. Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek.
• •
10-11:30am for Individuals 12:30-2pm for Caregivers
Everyone that participates will receive a $15 gift card and a tool kit with local resources. Space is limited. Call today to join us and reserve your spot at (269) 441-0986.
BARRY COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING
Friendship Center Locations:
Hastings COA Building:
(269) 948-4856 Mon-Fri 10 am-2pm
Main St. Banquets:
(517) 213-9212 Mon-Fri 10:30am-1pm
Delton Faith United Methodist Church
(269) 579-3918 11:00am-1pm
Woodland Eagles Club:
(269) 367-4041
Mon, Wed & Fri 10:30am-1pm
• Home Delivered Meals. For homebound seniors that are unable to pre- pare meals, can receive delicious meals at home. Special diets available. • Senior Center Activities including line dancing, card making, beading,
cards, bingo, and many others.
• Senior Meal Choice Dining. Restaurant-based senior dining program. • Chore Service provides minor home repair for seniors.
There are many more activities and opportunities to volunteer your time and talents! Just Call Barry County Commission on Aging for more information.
320 West Woodlawn Avenue, Hastings, MI 49058 Phone: (269) 948-4856 | Fax: (269) 948-3336 E-Mail: bccoa@barrycounty.org | www.barrycounty.org