I know the answer---it applies to all of life’s situations and circumstances. It boils down to faithfulness, fruit of the Spirit, facet #7. (My faithfulness---those actions that exhibit in my life my love for the Lord and my faith in Him) Faith---that’s the anchor that holds. Regardless of the circumstances/situations or what I know about them, I can focus on what I know about Him and His truth.
Michèle has taught me to focus on what I know.
Here’s what I know---
- I love Mommar and want what’s best for her and so does God.
- I don’t know what that “best” is---lots of factors for entire family at stake.
- Alzheimer’s gets progressively worse.
- I cannot “figure it out,” control it or manage it.
A few THOTS from today’s scripture search:
Galatians 6:9, 10 Let us not lose heart in doing good………. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (THOTS: PTL---Praise the Lord---Mommar is a member of the household of faith)
Ephesians 6: selected verses
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men (THOTS: continue to serve Him—it will overflow to all situations)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (THOTS: His strength, not mine)
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (THOTS: PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!)
Philippians 1:9-10 9…..my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best (THOTS: the more I know Him—insight into who He is, the more I’ll be able to discern best for all of life)
Colossians 1:10-12 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father (THOTS: have others pray these verses for all the Liles…….as I grow in knowledge of Him, I’ll grow in knowledge of how to handle all situations, even those like Alzheimers which I don’t understand--again it’s His strength, not mine)
James 1:2-5 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (THOTS: I was only going to check out v. 5 and then God had me read preceding verses---find joy in this, Dotsy b/c it can mature your faith which will result in perseverance in acts of faithfulness---fruit facet #7)
We all have struggles and if you have insight for me in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, please share your wisdom---it could be the nugget God has for me.
That’s where I am today, where are you?
I'm sitting here at Panera Bread Co. in Brentwood with tears welling up in my eyes as I relate to what you are experiencing with Larry's mom. As you and Larry know we went through 10 years with my dad. As their brain slowly becomes a tangled web of short circuits, we remissness about happier times we spent with them. But we have to come to a place where we realize that God has them in his hands and he is in control. All we can do is make them as comfortable as we can and protect them from harm. It wasn't hard for my dad as he didn't know where he was or what he was doing, but it was hard for me to watch as he slowly withered into that gentle place. Also hard for me was the guilt of not being able to help more than what I did with living in Nashville. My younger brother shouldered most of that weight and I am forever beholden to him for that. Neither he nor mom would think about putting him in a nursing home and mom became a prisoner in her own home. Even though we didn't want to turn him loose death came as a relief both to him and family. I know he would have never wanted to be in that state, but I think God uses situations to teach and test us. I pray for you and Larry and the rest of your family as you go through this trying time in your life. As always put your faith in God and he will see all of you though this valley. Soon the shadow of death comes to us all, we can only hope that God can look back at us and say "well done my good and faithful servant" and I think he will be able to say that about you and Larry and the rest of the family! May God bless you and keep you lifted upon his shoulders as you walk through these shifting sands of life.
ReplyDeleteNorm
Hey Dotsy,
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHAR AND I WILL CALL LATER.
I DON'T HAVE ANSWERS FOR YOU, BUT I WILL SHARE SOMETHING I USE WHEN CONFRONTED WITH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AND DECISIONS.
" i can't, HE CAN, i think i'll let HIM. IT KEEPS ME GROUNDED ENOUGH WHILE I DO MY DUE DILIGENCE.
LOVE YA,
YOUR SLIGHTLY OLDER BRO