People don’t usually remember every second of their existence, from the moment of their birth onward to this exact moment. This is not a choice but a reality that we have to accept and live with. As it is said, life is not always fair, nor does it always give us everything we want. But, it seems like people don’t want to remember…everything. They want to live in the “now.” They want to forget the people they’ve met, the food they ate and the things they went through in the past. They are counseled to live in the moment and focus on what it is they desire for their future.
It’s true that no one wants to carry a lot of baggage about past disappointments and unhappiness, but I do want to remember the mistakes I’ve made in the past. I want to look back at those memories and have a good laugh or a cry about it. I want to remember how my childhood was, how bad I used to be at studying or how crappy I was as a kid. Most importantly, I want to remember all these things because they would make me realize that despite it all, life is still worth it. However, I find it extremely sad that some people cannot even remember their family and friends. There are some who don’t even remember nature calls. Yes, that’s right, I’m talking about those sad souls who are suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia.
Honest, I cannot imagine my life not remembering my handsome husband and the joy of our wedding day. I cannot imagine forgetting the birth of my sweet angel. I don’t want to forget the smile and the pride on my parents’ faces on the day of my graduation. I always want to remember the day I lost hope in myself and the Lord intervened. I want to remember all those people God placed in my life to help, minister and support me. I cannot afford to forget how God saved me and made it crystal clear to me that He was always by my side. These are the things I hope and think never to forget. But, of course, we don’t know what the future holds.
In my life, I’ve met a few individuals with Alzheimer’s and I couldn’t just stop myself from imagining how it would be to forget your loved ones or not able to relive the good memories of the past again.
As a Christian, I can only pray for these people, but God offers them a hope. Even in the midst of the confusing and terrifying journey of Alzheimer’s, God, through His Gospel, has the power to make these people remember; remember His everlasting love, remember His grace, remember His promises.
So, if you have a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia, make sure you read the following scriptures to them. And, remember nothing can separate them from the love of God, not even Alzheimer’s or Dementia!
Powerful Biblical Verses
– From Psalm 46: 1-3/ 10-11
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
– From 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
– From Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
[…] During this storm of life, one can only seek refuge in God’s promises. […]