Steve's Corner

Steve’s Corner Reaping Where You Did Not Sow

by Steve Leland

Luke 19:21 (KJV) For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. This verse occurs during the wrap-up of the parable of the man who gave his servants some money and told them to occupy until he returned from a trip that he was taking. Sidebar: To “occupy” doesn’t mean to just be present in a location, it means to take charge of the situation. Think of an occupying army; they impose their will on the country over which they have taken charge. They may loot it and terrorize the populace, or they may rebuild it and assist the people to thrive. Yeshua told his disciples, extending to us, to occupy till his return. We are to be building the Kingdom and transforming society around us while we wait; not just entertaining ourselves. What always bothered me was the statement that the servant made to the master. He told his master that he had been afraid because his master was harsh and rigid who picked things up that he hadn’t laid down and harvested what he hadn’t planted. In response, his master flat out admitted these statements. This seemed to imply to me that his master was a thief. How could this be? I take this parable as being an example for us occupying until our master Yeshua returns. He is in the war with us against the enemy, so I can understand that there are times that his expectations of us might feel a bit harsh and rigid, but to have him portrayed as a thief just didn’t sit well with me. So, I spent many years being bothered by this, until I realized the scenario in which the last statement could make sense without equaling theft. If a farmer was going broke in between the time that he had planted a field of wheat, for instance, and the maturing of the crop, and he was forced to sell the land prior to the ripening of the grain, the new owner would have the right to harvest what the original owner had planted. Another sidebar: Land in the Old Testament was owned in perpetuity by the family. Any land that was sold reverted to the family at the 50-year Jubilee. So, the only real value that the new owner could realize was the crops grown on that land in the number of years left until the Jubilee. Allowing the previous owner to harvest the growing crop would diminish his return on investment. As far as the “taking up what he hadn’t laid down,” I don’t have any understanding, but I would imagine that Yah has a perfect answer that we will know at some point down the road. Luke 19:26 (KJV) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. Notice that even those that think that they don’t have anything have more to lose than they realize. Personally, I have never been a writer. But Yah has convinced me that with His help I can do a bit of it. If I had left it buried, I wouldn’t be sharing these thoughts that may bless a few people here and there.

Cover Story ChristyCare: A Loving, Caring, And Safe Place For Seniors To Spend Their Day

understanding, but I would imagine that Yah by Ali Elizabeth Turner has a perfect answer that continued from page 1we will know at some with Plato; the loose translation made its way to the English language in 1894, and most recently was put into action by Christy Todd of ChristyCare Senior Day Care. You see, Christy found herself in need of specialized care for her mom once a diagnosis of dementia changed both of their lives. Christy was working full time and tried utilizing personal sitters, but the cost was too expensive and her mother seemed to be declining just staying home. Christy wanted her mom to have a high quality of life, something to engage her more, and had been researching the benefits of socialization and how it had been proven to slow down the decline brought on by dementia. She said, “I knew there were other people like me taking care of spouses, parents, or grandparents, and that needed a break-- A place that not only provided care but would bring joy and laughter and love to everyone.” That’s how ChristyCare was born. Christy Todd knows the medical world well. She has done respiratory therapy and has sold medical equipment. She also worked in the senior care industry as it pertains to visiting caregivers. She is resourceful, for sure, but the problem was that she needed to be able to take care of her mom as well as make a living. So, the doors opened right and left that led to the creation of ChristyCare Senior Day Care in Huntsville, as well as the Athens/Harvest ChristyCare that is located close to the corner of Capshaw and East Limestone Rd. Both locations were going great guns until COVID hit, and they had to close for a couple of months. But they are back open and ready to take care of your loved one who needs TLC during weekdays or on Saturday. Christy is certified in dementia training, but her truest “school” has been what she has learned in the process of caring for her mom; and now others are reaping the benefits. I visited the Harvest/ Athens ChristyCare center and was thoroughly delighted by what I observed and experienced. It is bright, sunny, and spacious. There are examples of artwork and crafts created by the ChristyCare seniors. There are activities galore, which include dancing, basketball (appropriate for seniors), painting, storytelling, listening to oldies, and the hope is that when the weather warms up, a raised garden will be ready to plant in the outside back patio. I saw a video of Christy’s mom getting a chance to experience a visit from a baby goat, and it was heartwarming. Sometimes (when

COVID isn’t a problem) younger kids get a chance to come in and interact with the seniors. The results for both are nothing short of amazing.

As wonderful as it was to see that there was lots of fun stuff to do, what sold me on ChristyCare is the obvious love of the staff for the clients, as well as how the clients enjoyed each other. Christy will be the first to tell you that her fierce protective love for seniors parlayed into a successful business is the result ultimately of walking in her calling. Her use of the word “precious” is not colloquial, she genuinely feels those in her charge are worthy of the description. ChristyCare is not just for people battling with dementia. Some folks have had strokes, some are hospice patients or have Parkinson’s, some have balance issues, and some are just lonely or depressed. No matter their struggle, they are treated with love, honor, and respect. Recently, Christy had the pleasure of promoting Lisa Toney to the position of director at the Harvest facility. Lisa has the same heart of love as does Christy, and if either of my parents were still alive, this is the kind of care I would want them to receive. Here are some real endorsements from raving fan clients:

“I love this place and ChristyCare caretakers. I take my 82-year-old husband here every day. Why do I love this place? Because my husband loves it here. He loves the workers and speaks glowingly of them.” - Cathi Shomin Rotan