Saturday, February 24, 2001
Saturday, February 24, 2001
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much
fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
Tim and his younger brother flew 2,000 miles to see her three times in the five months that she
was sick. During the last month Tim called every morning to see how she made it through the
night, and every night to see how she made it through the day. Tim's father stayed with his
beloved wife every day. Tim's three other brothers and sister all lived in the area. They stopped by
regularly, almost daily, to be with her.
Shortly before Tim's mom died, a wealthy member of that small community was admitted to the
same intensive care unit for observation. He wielded great influence, but he was in the hospital
room for three days without a single visitor. He had a wife, and he had children, but they had not
come by.
As the nurse was giving him his medicine, he inquired of the patient in the private room. "Oh,
that's Mrs. Kimmel," the nurse replied. He wanted to know about Tim's father and his brothers
and sister. She told him all about them and mentioned that her two sons out of town had flown
back to see her several times and called daily to check on her status. He asked about Tim's mom's
condition. "Mrs. Kimmel will die any day," the nurse told him. "If she lives a week, we'll all be
surprised." At that point this man of influence dropped his head back on his pillow and got quiet.
Just before she walked away, he looked up at her with tears in his eyes. "You know," he said in a
husky voice, "I would gladly trade places with Mrs. Kimmel and die a week from now, if for that
week I could have a spouse and children who care enough about me not to make me die alone."
We all want to be connected. We all want to be loved.
That is what our message from the vineyard is all about. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.
When we are connected to Jesus, God loves never ceases to flow to us.
(John 15:5
NRSV)
Tim Kimmel in his book, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE FREEWAY, tells about his mother, who
died of cancer. From the time the doctors discovered the cancer to the time it took her life was
only five months. It was difficult for the family to watch her die.
Dear God, in my loneliness, guide me to touch someone with your love. Amen.
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