Mary Daniel hadn't seen her husband for 114 days due to coronavirus restrictions at the senior care facility where he lives. Her husband, Steve, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's seven years ago and moved into a care facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

She said she had been visiting her husband every night and would get him ready for bed. But when the coronavirus pandemic hit, health facilities restricted visitors as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to vulnerable patients. The facility closed to visitors on March 11—the last time she saw Steve as a visitor.

Mary was worried about her husband spending so much time alone and said she was “desperate” to find another way to stay connected. She said, “We have separated these folks to save them, but … the isolation will absolutely kill them. Especially dementia patients, they need interaction. They need to be touched … so that they can grow instead of just really wither away.”

Mary said, “Out of the blue, two weeks ago, the corporate office of his memory care center called me and said, 'We've got a part-time job available; would you like to take it?’” She was willing to do any job they offered for the chance to get inside, and what they ended up giving her was a dishwashing position.

The job is allowing Mary to see her husband regularly, and she's grateful or it. “It is worth it to be able to visit him, and I can already just tell the difference in his demeanor after three visits. I get to go again tonight ... it has made the world of difference for me.” She said her husband now feels love—something he missed out on when they were separated. “I'm so grateful ... I am so lucky and fortunate. I want to be with him every day.”

Possible Preaching Angle:

We were separated from God due to the effects of sin (Eph. 2:12; 4:18), yet God wanted to show his deep love for us. The only way was for Jesus to enter our world was in the role of a servant. He willingly did this to be with us and reunite us with God.