We invite you to take a peek inside our weekly Light for the Way devotional series provided for staff.
By Campus Pastor Curtis Payton, Avalon Square
Greetings PHS employees. Summer is coming to a close, and autumn is approaching. This next season brings the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. The vibrant yellows, reds and oranges are a sight to behold.
But have you thought about the irony here? Leaves change when temperatures drop, and trees build a protective seal between their branches and leaves. This process causes the leaves to die, separate from the tree and fall to the ground. The beautiful colors we enjoy in leaves are produced as they approach death.
In a similar way, as some residents transition — although this is incredibly difficult for us and for their loved ones — we witness a beautiful thing. During their passing, we hear beautiful memories of their life. In the grief of their death, there is an opportunity to recall the beauty of their life.
Yet, just as a new season brings new leaves to trees, we believe death does the same for those in Christ. Jesus, in John 12:25, says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though he die, yet he shall live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.”
Just as leaves change beautifully in their passing, yet are reborn in the next season, we believe the same happens for residents who believe in Christ.
As you admire the changing of leaves, also remember specific residents who are in transition. Take time to pray for them and honor God for the wonderful beauty their life has brought to you and their loved ones.
Pastor Curtis Payton serves PHS at the Avalon Square campus in Waukesha, Wis., as their campus pastor. He holds his ordination in the Presbyterian Church in America and has served in youth, eldercare and congregational settings since 2015. He and his wife Kaitlyn recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary and have 3 children.
The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.
Find more in the Light for the Way series:
Love one another
Get to know us: a Christian ministry
Introducing Light for the Way, a new devotional series
