Tuesday, March 2, 2021

​When  it became evident that the pandemic, stay at home, social distancing policy was not going away soon, I starting to think what I could do to help people who felt isolated.
 
Ever since my husband and I moved to the Village, I made weekly visits to the Atrium (nursing home that is here at the Village at Penn State).
Now that we became more isolated, the new rules were “No visitors allowed!”  So, I started to write short chatty notes of encouragement most always including scripture like, “Jesus promised He will never leave us nor forsake us.” Hebrews 13:5. “The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deut. 33: 27. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious ..think on these things  and the God of peace will be with you.”  Phil. 4:8,9.  Also words from hymns that I learned by rote as a child but are very meaningful to me now.  Example - Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.

A month or two after the virus hit, I had a call from a friend from church asking if I would contact a few church members weekly to encourage them through the virus epidemic. Of course, my answer was a resounding, “YES, I would be very happy to make weekly calls.” So, I was up and running!  I like to think my weekly calls are helping them. They are certainly helping me. 
My heart as always been in social ministry at Grace Church. Then, after my surprising mild stroke, several years ago, I didn’t know where I fit!  So, I like to think my calls are encouraging to the folks I call weekly, and they are certainly helping me. In my small way I have a deep desire to tell everyone that Jesus loves us, He will never leave us, and that the Virus will soon be gone, and through it all we will have a stronger relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! 

Winnie Deppen