​Back in 2015, the Pew Research Center released some alarming statistics related to plunging belief in Jesus Christ. Pew reported that only 11% of those in the “silent generation” (born between 1928 and 1945) claimed to be religious “nones”—in other words, atheists, agnostics, or without any religion in particular. But among younger millennials (born between 1990 and 1996), that number leaped to 36%.
 
Think of that: More than one in three young adults with no connection with Christianity. That means no objective moral standard, no peace, no hope for eternal life. There may be exceptions, but generally speaking, it’s a miserable and completely self-centered existence. I know; I shared this anti-God worldview for much of my adult life.  But more than one third of young adults? It’s unthinkable. Yet unless something drastic happens, it’s likely to get worse.
 
How did this happen? One major reason has to be that we’re now in the second, third, and fourth generations of unbelief. Young people are not even being exposed to the gospel anymore. They don’t know what they are, in effect, rejecting.
 
We as Christians have our work cut out for us, and we’d better get busy.  In addition to doing our own share of gospel sharing, however, we need to ask the Lord to send in reinforcements. As Jesus said in Matthew 9, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

One group of laborers is too often overlooked: elderly Christians, especially those living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  Whether you’re a Christian with a loved one in this situation, or simply have a little free time to make new friends of these residents, you can help them become effective evangelists. When you visit, update them on the situation, and then arm them with gospel tracts to share with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even the staffers who serve them every day.
 
Never underestimate the impact these simple tools can have. Over the decades, millions of people have ended up being saved for all eternity after reading a gospel tract. Imagine how it would thrill an elderly believer to be able to play a role in that process.  And you can be the key to unleashing a small army of old saints!   
 
But don’t put it off. Today’s very aged may be the last generation with solid and widespread faith in Jesus Christ. Younger people are now moving into these facilities, and from what I’ve seen, a growing percentage of them have no interest in the things of God. 

If you're searching for a present for a friend or loved one who lives in a nursing home, it wouldn't be surprising to learn that the perfect gift is not leaping instantly to mind. It can in fact be a real challenge. But as a veteran of nursing-home buying, I have a few suggestions for you. 

Let's start with a few don'ts:

• It should be obvious, but apparently it is not: Don't bring in anything that the recipient can't eat -- no sugary treats for those with diabetes, no nuts or popcorn for those with diverticulitis. If you have any doubts, do your research and check with a nurse.


• Be sensible: don't give a boom box to someone with a roommate -- unless it's accompanied by earphones and instructions for using them.


• Don't give conventional books to someone with failing vision, or books on tape to someone with no means of listening to them. 


• Don't give a gift that could be a fire hazard. That means none of those cute little packages of tea, mug and plug-in cup heater. No hot plates. Nothing that plugs in and heats up.


• Don't give an appliance if it will only cause frustration. A prime problem: phones with built-in answering machines. Younger residents may really appreciate them, but I promise you that they can reduce many old folk to tears in very short order.

There are far better choices available to those who know their residents fairly well. For instance:

• This is the generation that wrote letters, and many still do. Books of pretty stamps are always welcome, as are boxes of stationery or a selection of cards for any occasion -- Get Well, Happy Birthday, Thank You and Thinking of You are perfect.


• Look for wonderful new books or old favorites for a reader, large-print if necessary; I recently discovered a resident with a shared passion for Kathleen Thompson Norris, the highest-paid woman novelist of the early 20th century; she'll be ultra-easy to buy for, since Norris wrote dozens of books and one of the advantages to old age is being hazy about stories read decades ago. 


• Many will welcome reading accessories such as clip-on night lights (with a supply of batteries) or magnifying sheets or glasses.


• If the nursing staff okays it, candy and cookies are always a big hit.  


• How about a jigsaw puzzle, if there's a place to assemble it? And how about personalizing it? I'm currently searching for one featuring turtles for a resident who loves both puzzles and turtles -- if I can find the right one, I think she'll be delighted.

 

• If the home has a beauty shop, you could pay for a shampoo, cut and set for a resident who's low on funds.


• An easy-to-care-for plant may be just the ticket, especially for someone who once enjoyed gardening. Surprisingly, an orchid can be great; it may not live forever, but some of the most common types will bloom for a long time and need only an ice cube a week for moisture. And what an exotic gift it makes!


• For the right resident and the right room, a stuffed toy can turn into a beloved "companion." And there are some very cool, battery-operated cats and dogs available today; but bring extra batteries and make sure there'll be someone available to change them.


• Another nifty gift is a pair of earphones for TV listening. The resident's roommate will appreciate them, and that can help keep the peace for everyone concerned.


• For the man or woman who has everything, you might want to consider making a donation in his or her name to a cause that he or she loves -- his or her church, or a local humane society, or the Rescue Mission or Salvation Army. 

But the best gift at all for someone living in a nursing home is the gift of time. Lavish it on him or her not only during the Christmas season, but every month of the year! 

Looking for a different sort of novel? Consider The Song of Sadie Sparrow, new from Kitty Foth-Regner and FaithHappenings Publishers. It’s the story of three women whose lives intersect in a five-star nursing home called The Hickories—three women of different generations, backgrounds, sorrows and hopes:

• Sadie Sparrow is a slightly befuddled, 86-year-old who has been abandoned here by her oh-so-busy daughter. But she is settling in just fine, thanks to new friends, a loving staff, a heart full of favorite hymns, and a young Bible teacher who is determined to usher her through the narrow gate to eternal life. 

 

• Meg Vogel is a 58-year-old widow, freelance copywriter and committed atheist who has been hired to write resident biographies. She loves her job, except for all the dreary and offensive God-talk—precisely the nonsense that ruined the last months of what had been her perfect marriage. 

 

• Elise Chapelle, a single 32-year old and devout Christian, quit her teaching job to care for her beloved grandfather. But in spite of her efforts, his failing health has landed him in The Hickories. Not a likely place for Elise to find the ideal husband, but the Lord has been known to work in mysterious ways.

 
Editor Keely Boeving described the novel this way: “A beautifully written story of friendship set against the backdrop of life’s twilight years, The Song of Sadie Sparrow explores contrasting views of purpose and pardon, life and afterlife—and faith’s role in shaping those views, now and forevermore.”
 
It’s available now in both ebook and paperback formats. Order it today!