Today’s Readings: Psalm 63 1-8, Psalm
98, Psalm 103, Isaiah 13:6-13, Hebrew 12: 18-29, John 3:22-30
When I tell people how I spend my Thursday evenings,
they usually respond by saying, “That must be so difficult and
depressing.” Most Thursdays nights for
the past six years, I have been leading a support group for people who are in
the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
As if having Alzheimer’s disease weren’t bad enough, the people who come
to my support group are not what most people would consider old. They are in their late 40s, 50s, and early
60s.
On the contrary, the time I spend with this support
group usually turns out to be the most inspiring part of my week. It is a great honor to witness the courage
with which these people face having an illness that is taking away much of
their independence and many of their dreams for the future. Even though the group is not supported by a
religious organization, many of its members often share stories of their faith.
This week’s group was no exception, and amazingly, the conversation echoed two
of today’s readings, Psalm 63: 1-8 and Psalm 103.
In completing our usual routine of checking in with
all members, one member of our group shared how important reading her Bible and
participating in her Bible study is to keeping a positive attitude in the face
of Alzheimer’s. When asked what it is
about the Bible that helps her, it was clear that the her faith in God is the “sanctuary” from the “dry
and weary land where there is no water” as David describes in Psalm 63 and
could easily describe the day in the life of a person with Alzheimer’s. She went on to talk about the hope that she
gets especially from her knowledge of the love of God and the promise of
everlasting life that is so eloquently written of again by David in Psalm 103
that “satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed
like an eagle’s.” She shared how much
her mood and attitude always improved after the discussion in her Bible study.
Even after all of these years with the group, I
continue to learn valuable lessons that help me face my own life’s challenges
and appreciate all of my many, many blessings.
Like many people, some of my family and friends are facing some serious
difficulties this Christmas season, and I needed this reminder of the power of
God’s love . I left my support group
feeling re-energized by the hope promised by the season of Advent and the birth
of Jesus Christ.
(Nicole McGurin)
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