Clueless in Memphis…..

9/11-12/09…..about Alzheimer’s/dementia. Oh, I can “google” it and figure out that our situation is somewhere between stage 4 and 5 of the 7 stages but…………..that doesn’t help the emotional pain, the frustration and the guilt. Yesterday, I joked that I could have our loved one “wander” the halls to help out at the school’s ACT testing b/c she’s good at that (actually she’s better at constant sweeping)---and I laughed---b/c sometimes we need to “lighten up”---then I felt guilty for making light of a situation that I know weighs heavy on all of us as well as her. Frankly, it breaks my heart. Here is someone, whom I love, who needs constant care and attention and I don’t have a clue what is God’s best for her. I need answers so that I don’t continue to be “sleepless in Memphis” as I try to figure it all out.
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.

But God…………..

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?