I will delight myself in Thy statutes. I will not forget Thy word. Psalm 119:16 KJV

When we are serving in memory care facilities, stirring memories is a great beginning, but as Christian workers, we must set higher goals. After all, in the facilities where those struggling with cognitive decline live there are others who are already doing that. They play songs from the distant past, present old movies and employ a variety of resources to stir up the residents’ minds. But God gave us music as a key to unlock a door, and we need to do more than just open it. We need to walk through that door with the Gospel. Now, I venture to say that you imagine that this is a tall order for folks who can barely recall their own names, and I will be the first to agree with you. Effectively sharing with our friends in memory care is a unique challenge that can only be overcome when the Holy Spirit is at work. Just as the message Jesus gave to the thief on the cross was very different from the challenges and teaching, He gave to His disciples, so our goals must be simpler and more direct. Though I occasionally begin a song by first sharing, an encouragement, or a memory of my own, most of the message is wrapped in the songs themselves. The wonderful thing about Hymns is not just that they are familiar, easy to sing or happy. The best hymns give the message of the Gospel in three to five verses. As I lead my friends in song, I try my best to lead them from, “This Little Light of Mine, through the Garden of Prayer, and ultimately all the way to the Old Rugged Cross. Though the specific song selection that you use may be different than mine, the trajectory should be the same. God has put us in places where very few others have the privilege of going, with a message so simple that even a child can understand and even our friends living in memory care can embrace! Memory loss, Parkinson’s, and Dementia create a seemly endless storm in the some of our loved ones and those precious to us. But when we stand with them in the eye of that storm, remember that Jesus is standing there with us. He is the Master of the Storm and the Pilot who can lead us safely into harbor.