GENEVA, Ala (BNc) — Diane Grantham, Geneva, AL, has endeared herself to both local nursing home residents and personnel. For the past year she has been going to the home on Monday mornings at 9:30 to tell Bible stories.
It all began one day while visiting the facility. A resident commented to Diane that she wished there was a member of the church who would come and preach at the home on Sundays. Diane said, “I would love to come and tell Bible stories.” That same day Diane approached the activities director about the possibility of her taking on the task. The director said, “We need someone to do that,” and thanked her, adding that the residents would enjoy it.
Today, a year later, Diane was 15 minutes early for the Monday morning story time. Residents were waiting in the dining hall following their physical therapy session. Over 36 residents and personnel were present for the 30 minute class on David and Goliath. She chooses her stories from both the Old and New Testament.
Diane’s first class only had 6-8 attendees, and she is happy to report having had as many as 43 attendees counting both residents and nurses in previous classes. Often the nurses comment on how much they enjoy the stories from the Bible.
When asked why she does this, Diane said, “It brings joy and comfort to me to know I am doing something that is pleasing to God by telling Bible stories to the residents and nurses.”
2015-01-26 at 3:56 pm
This is a wonderful story of caring for the souls of the elderly. How does Diane choose which stories to tell each week? How in depth is each story? From my experiences with residents of nursing homes, we certainly can’t take the same approach or use the same presentation that would be fitting for young children. That approach would be condescending. But some of the residents will be suffering from various degrees of cognitive decline and the teacher must take that into account when planning her story. Did it take time for Diane to learn the residents and their capabilities to hone her approach to a manner that is the most beneficial? Does anyone ever lead a prayer or singing, or is she sticking to strictly telling the story? I would be reluctant to do anything except tell the stories in case a male member of the church was among the residents.
2015-01-26 at 10:34 pm
Carolyn, thanks for your comments and questions. Diane visits the nursing home each week, one or more times, and has done so for years. She takes church bulletins and leaves them about. She is a Bible student with a wonderful memory. However, when she teaches she opens her Bible to the scripture and starts at the beginning and tells the story beautifully. By now I’m certain Diane knows every resident in her Bible class, and her love for them is evident…and theirs for her. She is sticking strictly to telling the Bible story. No one leads singing or prayers. The residents thanked her for coming and told her they enjoyed the lesson today. Nurses hugged her and thanked her also. We, in Geneva, are impressed with her dedication, her knowledge of the scripture, and especially her willingness to do this each week. Sometimes I think we try to make sure everything is just right before we venture out and do what we can for the Lord. Diane’s desire to tell Bible stories to the residents was so strong that when the opportunity was presented, she took it and ran with it. She loves the Lord and does what she can where she is.
2015-01-29 at 6:13 pm
I want to say how much I appericate this uplifting story of a lady who came to serve and not be served. She fully understands the precept Christ taught each day of his ministry. A act of kindness deserves an act of gratitude. She is leading them by the heart with her love for the living Word. In Christ Bill Cartwright