Have you ever imagined living a totally confused life, one where you have trouble remembering the things and people most important to you? Sure, we all become forgetful sometimes, especially during seasons of high stress. We might even laugh at ourselves, walking into a room only to forget why we went there. But mental confusion is no laughing matter, especially when it is caused by Alzheimer’s.
I sometimes have wondered, if I could remember nothing but one thing, what would I want that to be? How about you? If you could be guaranteed to remember just one thing, with everything else forgotten, what would you have fill your mind? It is a daunting question that cuts straight to the heart of who we are and who we want to become.
In a recent article, singer Glenn Campbell’s wife, Kim sheds light on dealing with her husband’s life with Alzheimer’s Disease. Much of his care involves keeping him safe and at peace. While he lives in a mental fog much of the time and has lost much of his communication skills, Kim says he still can make short sentences and say things like “I love you” and “We are so blessed.” The aides and nurses say he must have been a godly man because they always see him walk over to the window and lift up his hands and say, “Thank you, heavenly Father.”
Kim shares, “When I see him do that, I know God is with him, and he’s aware of His presence. He’s relying on the Lord and gets his strength from Him. Even in his affliction, he’s ministering to people and trying to be a blessing. In between those moments, he’s lost. He wanders. He can’t communicate. He doesn’t understand what others say to him.”
It causes me to ponder how the storms of life sometimes creep upon us like an enveloping fog, causing us to forget the things that are most important, even if our memories are not impaired. Especially in those times, we need to know that God really is there with us and that we can draw close to Him.
The truth is, while the storms of life continually buffet our frail bodies, we can choose what we put into our hearts and minds today. What we choose to dominate our thoughts and ambitions now may be the very thing that controls us when all else is gone. The Psalmist writes, “I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.” It’s guaranteed and seems to be part of our job description. But we can say, “Thank you Heavenly Father,” because He adds, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I hope you let the gracious light of Jesus disperse the fog that comes your way today and find many reasons today to say, “Thank you Heavenly Father.”