“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)
I have heard this verse so many times. On April 2nd, I came to know and believe this to be true to the core of my being as my mother-in-law went to be with the Lord.
Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease which ravages both the body and the mind. It has no rhyme nor reason, presenting itself differently in each of its victims. It steals a little more of the person with the passing of days causing you to wonder, at times, who is this in front of you. There is no way of knowing as you go to visit if you will find them with brief moments which bring clarity of thought or if they will be somewhere in their mind where you have never before gone.
The amazing thing I have come to realize this past week is this ….
While Alzheimer’s took Carol’s memory from her, we as a family truly gained memory.
We sat together and reminisced and laughed as we poured over photos, gaining back our memory of Carol, of life, and of family. In reading her travel journal, which none of us had ever before seen, we learned of her trip to Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. She diligently wrote each day of the sights, the people and her thoughts, all of which were precious as we discovered there was a side to Carol we had not seen.
I get a calendar each year for Christmas. You know the one …. the one with a Scripture for the day. You tear off a page each day.
The day after she passed, I woke up for my early morning routine of reading and coffee. I sat down at my desk and look over at the calendar and read the verse on the top page for April 2nd:
“Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
Picking up my calendar, I headed into our bedroom and threw on the lights to read it to my husband. It is amazing to realize (and recognize) how our God would so arrange for that verse to be on that page for that date. But then go further, of all the calendars I could have received, that calendar was given to me for this year and I was sitting there reading God’s Word to me, for this very situation and day. Our God knows His own in such an intimate and compassionate and personal manner!
Even more so, His Word is alive and ever living. Those moments when His Word becomes His spoken word spoken just to you, individual and unique to you. The verse sprang to life, rich with meaning which I will never forget.
Carol had surely persevered under trial – the trial of Alzheimer’s. It had ravaged both her body and mind for the last ten years, stealing a little bit more with the passing of time.
But on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, she received her crown which then circled the very thing which was stolen from her – her mind. Her mind was fully restored to her in health and wholeness.
Her time had not been passing, it had been coming all along.
Carol’s time had come to receive her crown in the presence on her Lord.
Today I am joining with … Sharing His Beauty and Hear It, Use It and Playdates With God and Unite and Soli Deo Gloria and Tell Me a Story and Teaching What is Good and Words of Life Wed. .
Joanne~ I am so sorry for your loss and yet rejoicing with you that her body has been restored. Praying for you and your family, that Jesus would comfort you and sustain you and bring to your mind wonderful memories.
Thank you, Lori. There was surely times of joy and laughter as we shared memories.
What a beautiful tribute to your mother-in-law! I love it when you said,”His Word becomes His spoken word spoken just to you,” Isn’t God amazing?
Thank you. It is amazing when Scripture feels like it was written solely for you! Makes it all the more precious and committed to our hearts!
Chills when I saw James 1:12 was your verse of the day on the day your m-i-l died. It was in my daily Bible reading just this morning! (James 1-2)
It’s amazing to me how God is all in the details as well as the big picture. This was true for my family as well when my mother was sick/died from Alzheimer’s: “While Alzheimer’s took Carol’s memory from her, we as a family truly gained memory.” Beautiful. Thank you, Joanne.
I am grateful if my words brought you comfort as it stirred your own memories. Thank you for stopping to visit me today, Lisa! You are always appreciated.
Joanne, I’m so sorry for your loss. I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers. It is so amazing how true this is ~> “Our God knows His own in such an intimate and compassionate and personal manner!” Love how He is truly involved in every detail of our lives. Beautiful post, friend. {Hugs}
Thank you, Beth. He truly knows all, sees all and cares about all. Remember that each day! And so will I 🙂
Hi Joanne. I pray peace over your family as you mourn the loss of your beloved mother-in-law.Your words remind of 2 things my spiritual mother would say “there is no coincidence in God” and “you don’t need the word of God – you need the word from God” (this said as encouragement to really dig into the word to make it real for YOU). I loved this post Joanne – real. life. worship. Amen.
Lisha – funny you should write, “There is no coincidence in God” as growing up our youth leader would say that more times than I can even tell you. He made sure that truth was driven deeply into our hearts & minds. Your spiritual mom was one wise woman! Surely it is only when His Word become “rhema” – His personal word to us – that it becomes remembered & precious to each of us. Thank you for stopping to encourage me today. Lisha, you are most appreciated! Blessings!
Praying for all of you, especially Danny. I love that you found your mother-in-law’s travel journals and were able to share memories. I am so grateful that God is always on time and knows all. His sovereignty is comforting. As in the beatitudes, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”
Love & Prayers
Marilyn & Alan
Thank you for your thoughts & prayers. They are appreciated. We all received such joy & laughter from reading her travel journal. He does bring comfort. Thank you, my friend!
I don’t have Alzheimer’s, but I do have brain/mental stuff kicking my tail. I’ve been a reader and writer, and good speller since I was about 6, and 62 years later, suddenly I’m struggling with memory connected to words, to activity, to “reality”. So, in the next few months I need to do anything I can to get things working again. The Lord has healed me many times… especially heart issues or dangerous situations … and He is all I can rely upon. I hope, when/if my brain doesn’t work as well, my kids, grandkids, “missionary” kids that I have “adopted” from Uganda, Burkina Faso, and Nepal… some of whom live right here in town, but most of the Ugandan ones are in their country where Dave and I were missionaries. I don’t want to ever leave this world, w/o prepping for what I can give to them. Dave suggested I fill out the “laundry list” so anything important can get to the ones that should have a gift from me when I leave this world. OR when my brain decreases. Think, unless the Lord heals, it will be reduced significantly in the next couple years. Anyhow, what you explained, I sure understood. Thank you. [One good thing is how the computer hits the spelling issues, and I can figure out how to repair the words. Comes in handy. I had to do it several times while writing this.]
Joanne, may God continue to preserve your brain and thoughts and your ability to function each day. Praying for you & for Dave today. How wonderful to have a husband who stands by you & is helping to keep things organized. God’s richest blessings upon you both!
This is a lovely tribute to a woman clearly Called and Obedient unto Him. What a lovely post. Bless you from #TellMeATrueStory.
Thank you! She was a godly woman who prayed much. Thank you for stopping & visiting with me. May you have a most blessed week ahead!
Such a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I, too, love how the Lord orchestrates and uses all sorts of things to speak and comfort us. Blessings.
Leah, I will be praying for you in the days ahead. May God be with you & your mom & family.