My 90 year old father-in-law passed away in our home on October 6th from end stage Alzheimers. It became quite intense as a caregiver to him the last 4-6 months of his life. We still have my mother-in-law at home (she's 86) and she has a different form of dementia that is still mild in its stage. The Lord has given me a whole new appreciation for the sanctity of human life in all its stages and forms. Handicaps, illnesses, whatever the case may be, do not change the worth of the individual in God's eyes.
I remember one day vividly. I had just come out of dad's room in which I had to change his sheets again, get him in a clean diaper, and deal with him not understanding what was going on. As I walked down the hallway I complained to myself; well, I was actually just having a pity party! The Lord stopped me in my tracks and said, "If that were Me in there, would you be complaining? He is 'one of the least of these' and when you do things for him you are doing them for Me."
That sobered my thinking immediately! Of course I wouldn't be complaining if I knew that Jesus was the one for whom I was caring. I have always believed in the sacredness of human life as it is created in God's image, no matter what stage of life. Now I was challenged with living it out.
I'm glad to say that I am no longer the same person I was even 3 months ago. God is not through with me yet and is changing me from glory to glory.
Dear Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThanks for submitting this wonderful testimony of your life lessons in dealing with Alzheimers. It's one thing to talk the talk, but you have shown us how God enabled you to walk the walk even when passing through difficult waters.
May God continue to bless you with His strength and comfort.