27-Sep-14

Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains!For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering. Isaiah 49:13When should I rejoice?  At 1 am when I stop my husband from leaving the house to try to ‘go home’ in the midst of a Dementia fog?  When he is hungry at 5 am in the morning?  When I can’t fall asleep after getting him to bed in the middle of the night, thinking of the what ifs?Yes, I forgot that thanking God is part of the rejoicing.  I forgot to remember that it isn’t just me who is handling things — it is God.  I forgot.  And in forgetting I lost about 4 or 5 hours of sleep during a night of worry and concern.  I forgot that only in allowing God to help me, can I endure.  Was it just yesterday I quoted, “without me you can do nothing”?As the sun shines, and my husband remembers a bit more, as I take another breath, I can rejoice.  I can delight in God.  I can know that the mountains rejoice and the earth bursts into song.  I weep as I remember that Jesus has compassion and will comfort me.  I pray for the peace that will guard my heart.And then my dear husband sits on the edge of the bed contemplating the morning being thankful for the bright sunshine and the cows that give milk…  Is there a Spirit-less Dementia?  Yes, and it is me.  I am praising you God for how you direct me and guide me back to YOU!Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:4-7