God is Not Just in Our Minds

My Daddy had Alzheimer’s during the last few years of his life. His last 11 months were spent in a nursing home, mostly staring into space because he couldn’t communicate.

At Christmas time a few months before he died, my family went with my Mama to visit him in the nursing home. We sat around talking while he sat in the wheelchair staring.

After a while, my Mama asked if our family could sing some Christmas songs. We sang Silent Night. My Daddy sang along. Every word. We couldn’t hear him singing, but you could read his lips and he sang every single word.

 

For her last 15 months, I was my Mama's primary caregiver. That had its challenges, while still being a huge blessing. For the last month or so, she got where communicating with us was a big struggle. She could get a few words out, but nothing like sentences.

One of the blessings of the last couple of weeks was listening to her sing and pray out loud. I don't think she even knew we were there listening. She was with her audience of One.

She prayed for herself. She prayed for her family. She prayed for her friends. Her prayers were coherent and complete and beautiful!

One night, she sang a song that I had never heard before. I loved what she sang and I had to look it up. My aunt said that song was from their early childhood. It is called I Am Praying for You.

I Am Praying For You (Samuel Cluff)

 

1 - I have a Savior, He’s pleading in glory,

A dear, loving Savior, though earth-friends be few;

And now He is watching in tenderness o’er me,

But O, that my Savior were your Savior, too!

[Chorus] For you I am praying,

For you I am praying,

For you I am praying,

I’m praying for you.

2 - I have a Father; to me He has given

A hope for eternity, blessed and true;

And soon will He call me to meet Him in heaven,

But O, that He’d let me bring you with me, too!

3 - I have a robe, ’tis resplendent in whiteness,

Awaiting in glory my wondering view;

O, when I receive it all shining in brightness,

Dear friend, could I see you receiving one, too!

4 - When He has found you, tell others the story,

That my loving Savior is your Savior, too;

Then pray that your Savior may bring them to glory,

And prayer will be answered- ’twas answered for you!

 

These times gave us so much comfort.

Dementia can steal our minds. It can steal much of our bodily function.

God showed our family that He isn’t just in our minds (because my Mama’s was mostly gone), but He is deep inside our hearts.