Posted 11/14/18
Couple thoughts after taking mom to the eye surgeon yesterday:
1. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/god-will-give-you-more-than-you-can-handle/
Please ignore people that promise that God won’t give you more than you can handle. That verse is about temptation (to sin). We are given trials for many reasons including to grow us, to show His faithfulness, and to help us see the folly of relying on our own strength. When times are too much, rely instead on the one that raises the dead. (2 Cor. 1+)
2. Psalm 119 talks about many things, but one truth I cling to is the reminder “to hide the Word in your heart.” At first glance, it may seem like an odd statement. The Bible is central to the believer. Why hide it? 2 reasons, at least: the devil wants us to forget God’s promises. He hates you and me because he hates the Lord . The devil also wants to try to steal away God’s promises from us so our witness to others and our faith is weak. We hide the Word from the real brain bandit: the devil and his demons. We will find it because the Holy Spirit will help us. Secondly, similarly, we may not always have our mind like we do now. What we put into our noggin has more of a chance to come out when we need it. Many in the Sweet 17 are pretty much non-verbal…except when we play the old hymns. Then many of them sing with smiles. Happiness returns as they recall the Joy of their Salvation. I am not saying those who shout bad things in the ward are somehow more sinful or that they didn’t do these things…not at all. I am saying that the more you put that is good in your mind, the more that will be drawn from involuntarily when times are harder than we can handle. Philippians 4:8-9 says what my minimal mind is trying to say much better:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Never underestimate the power of the good that we consume or the harm of the bad. Cling to joy and to Him. Don’t judge those who swear and say/do bad things in the Alzheimer’s wing. Help them and love them.
Will it be easy? Is Alzheimer’s easy? No. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong. Cling to the Rock, to the Fortress, and look heavenward. #EndALZ. #ComeLordJesus