Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. Genesis 48:10 ESV
They barely remember our name and struggle to recall where they are. The hands, once strong and able that provided for us, protected us and even at times disciplined us now hang limply at their sides. What is the use of visiting, when they will not remember it an hour from now? Those are hard but very real questions we may struggle with if we have a parent in memory care.
Genesis 48:10 ESV Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.
But God remembers them and like Jacob, they still hold the blessings for our children in their hands. Rather than simply pity them, or stay away in discouragement and sorrow, let us go remembering that God has designed this chapter in their lives to still have purpose. Remember that after Jesus was born, he was brought by Mary and Joseph to the temple. There Jesus received blessings from, Simeon and Anna, the two oldest members of the community.
Those who are least respected by a society weary of caring for its elderly, are highly honored by God. These weakened by infirmity and age have been entrusted with the blessing for our children. Why should we care about memory care? Because Jesus does and He remembers them and sees when each one falls.
Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. Luke 10:30NLT
Recently, in our community, an elderly man with dementia, wandered from his home at night and ended up lying down to sleep on some nearby railroad tracks. Too often, stories like his end in tragedy, but thanks to the family’s call to the sheriff’s department, and an aviation unit with night vision cameras, he was found and brought safely home. I thank God for the good news in this story, but his case reminds me that there are millions more who need our help. Though it may feel hopeless, pointless and just plain inconvenient, their lives are an opportunity for us to love our neighbors, like both the Hillsborough Sheriff’s department and the good Samaritan.
First, both the Samaritan and the deputies, remind us that every person is worth finding. No one should be left by the side of the road alone. Too often we, spend time praying for God to help us serve Him, yet pass right by people He leaves directly in our path. Secondly, they spared no resources in their search You might say, “Well they had a helicopter, an ambulance and a team of paramedics, how can I help?” Well the Samaritan had only oil, wine and a donkey, and he got the job done! When we use what we have, God has a funny way of making it be enough, (remember those 5 loaves and 2 fish?) Last of all, the Samaritan had compassion for the man. He was different in every way, culturally, racially and in his religion, but he treated Him as a neighbor.
Is there a family you know, with a loved one who battles with dementia, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease? Maybe you could start getting to know them. Say hello over the backyard fence, offer your services to sit with their loved one while they go to the store or leave your phone number to be called in an emergency. Every situation and every person has a different set of needs. If you don’t personally know someone, there is very likely a facility near you that would love to have more people willing to visit. You can bring cards for Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Day or drop off a small gift basket for the weary staff, who care for them 24/7. According to the CDC there are currently 5.8 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with either Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. Thank God for first responders of all types who intervene daily, in helping people, just like our local man. But the truth of the matter is that the job is too big for just the police, fire department and paramedics to handle. We as God’s people must be willing to come close, see them with eyes of compassion and do what we can with what we have to help. I have posted the link below, if you would like to check out our local news story for yourself.
I cannot show you Jerry’s real photo because he lives in a memory care facility, but this smiling gentleman’s picture is close enough. I met Jerry a few months ago when he began coming to our Thursday hymn singing time. Today there was such a crowd of wheel chairs gathered around me, that when Jerry’s son came to visit, he could not even get close to his dad. Finally towards the end of our session one of the nurses managed to manuveur Jerry out of the crowd, and his son Greg gently guided him outside to the porch to sit and talk. On my way out as I passed by I paused to say hello and introduce myself.
Greg looked up at me with a smile and remarked, “You know I was really surprised to hear him singing with you. I can’t ever remember him singing those songs before!”
“Well he sings every week with us now.” I told him as I shook their hands to say goodbye. That little conversation this morning reminded me why I do what I do (besides that Jesus called me to go). There are so many Jerry’s and Nancy’s and Mary’s and Jim’s, who are waiting for someone to sing to them. In those places, there are some who had once put God off to the side, or even locked Him out of their lives for years, but now long to hear of Jesus and His love. They discover a hunger for heaven and the good news is that God still has a seat at His banqueting table reserved for anyone who will come. It is never too late to come to Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new!
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