WATCHWORD:
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9
Meditation:
Alzheimers and the Invisible God
I started this meditation after I was told a story about a loved one who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. The loved one was 62, and she passed away just three years later. It is a sad and often repeated story, but one of love of the caregiver, and the strength he was given by our Lord.
Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease, taking away common thought processes, behavior, and memory. I don’t think anyone can look candidly at the progression of this disease in a loved one without wondering about the symptoms and the role they can play as a comforter, a caregiver.
You may wonder, as I have done, as we reach a certain age, when we have trouble remembering names, can’t recall a word, or showing other signs that we fear may signal a major change in health. Of course, such ‘signs’ are attributable to the normal and natural course of aging, and is not a sign of a disease, unless of course, you consider aging a disease. In which case, may want to consult with the good Lord.
Such ‘blips’ in our cognitive health may serve a purpose, giving us a tiny glimpse into the world of declining health. Empathy is such an important part of our Christian Walk. Empathy helps us walk with better understanding alongside someone who is hurting, struggling. Empathy can be viewed as imparting hope through our presence and understanding – love.
In a recent Our Daily Bread meditation Mark DeHaan. wrote about a woman in her final years, impacted by the ravages of Alzheimer’s, and in her fading lucid moments was able to pen the following poetry:
Here I am in my favorite chair,
My feet on the sill,
And my heart in the air.
The sun-struck waves on the water below,
In constant motion – to where I don’t know.
But thank you – dear Father above –
for Your innumerable gifts and Your undying love!
It always amazes me – How can it be?
That I’m so in love with One I can’t see.
In that meditation, DeHaan sys: “It’s more than hearing that Jesus cares for people like us. It’s experiencing for ourselves the promise of Christ to make the wonder of His unseen presence and Spirit real to us at every stage of life.” The story of that woman underscores the truth that God’s love is eternal, unaffected by what happens to our earthbound bodies.
Jesus is the ultimate source of our hope even in the face of seemingly inescapable disasters, such as Alzheimer’s, or, in my daughter’s case, Dysarthria, a form of ALS. He is the ultimate demonstration of God’s goodness and faithfulness. We may not see a way out, but He does. God makes the inexpressible real to us. Amen.
Closing Prayer:
God of all comfort, our very present help in trouble, be near to those who are suffering illnesses and those who provide care. Look on us with the eyes of your mercy; comfort us with a sense of your presence; preserve us from the enemy; and give us patience in affliction. Restore us to health, and lead us to your eternal glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
