Betty never had to use those agencies.  A hard-worker, she always made payment plans when her small pay-check as a part-time waitress would not cover all her utilities, especially in the winter.  She cleaned houses when the restaurant did not need her, and that money paid her rent and bought food.  Throughout her life, she kept busy working, sometimes 3 part-time jobs during the same week.  She didn't have great furniture or clothes, but her basic needs were covered usually by her jobs.  

On a sunny Tuesday morning on her way to work., Betty had a major heart attack as she waited for the bus.   After being hospitalized for a week, she was able to go home but was very tired and weak.  While Betty was to recover more at home, her doctor ordered home care services to help her with bathing, dressing, housework and errands.  But within weeks, Betty knew this arrangement wasn't going to meet her needs.  Half the time, the Aides never showed up and when someone did, they just didn't do all the work that was needed.  Betty knew she needed more help, even for a short while.   And as she'd done all her life, she took action, picking up the phone to inquire about other sources of help from her community.  

But after calling every church in her community, she was discouraged and dismayed.  First, every pastor seemed very interested in her "story," and she willingly answered every question about her circumstances, finances, family support and needs.  She told each one how she had no family near-by, had no money to pay helpers, or to pay for programs like Meals on Wheels (in her area the only discount for meals was offered to Senior Citizens - Betty was just 40 years old).  Every pastor made sympathetic comments and sounded like they could and would offer some help.  Betty had asked if a volunteer could get her groceries once a month and if someone could just fix her a meal once a week. But, instead of offering help, at the end of each call, the pastor said the church had "no one to help."  

"Let me ask you something," each would say (or words like that).  "May I pray for you?" they would ask next.  After calling all 18 churches in her own town, plus another 167 churches in towns within 15 miles of her house, Betty laughed as she reflected on her attempt to find other help: "I was offered no meals and no help to get groceries -- but I've been prayed for by every denomination in my local phone book!"   Over the months, as Betty's condition worsened (partly from not eating regularly), her laughter took a bitter edge: "They would pray for me, but not feed me."

Is this your church's response to those who are ill and disabled?

Pastor as Interviewer: Now tell me what has brought you to call today?

The Ill - Disabled Caller: Well I have no family in the State and I live alone. I'm supposed to have home health workers but they don't show up.  I wondered if someone might be willing to bring me a plate of their left-overs once a week, so I don't have to go without every day?

Pastor: You have no family?

Caller: No, they live in other States.

Pastor: And no friends?

Caller: My friends help as much as they can, but they have jobs and families too.

Pastor: Ah, so they can't help every day, I see!  That must be hard on you.

Caller: Yes it is...so... I thought... well, maybe that someone from the church would be willing to help me...?

Pastor: Uh...umm..uh... I don't know anyone...anyone who can help you.  Our church donates to the local shelter (he says proudly).  BUT before we go to commercial break (i.e. end of call), let me PRAY for you. (deep breath and Pastor begins again in a praying voice) Oh Lord Jesus, our sister/brother comes before you today with needs and bad health.  She needs HELP, oh Lord, she needs help TODAY.  And we, your servants, TRUST in YOU our Lord and Savior that you will provide for these needs.  Send someone oh Lord, the Source of ALL our hopes in life, someone to help this downtrodden Soul, so that Your Name will be glorified.  Amen!  - And now, to our commercial break.  Stay tuned for the story of our Brother Mike, suffering from poor health and confined to a wheelchair.....