Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in Jesus’ name! We would like to share a poem with you that Dar found on the internet. The lines are simple. Follow the thoughts carefully. A quick reading might deny us insight into the sobering plight of a fellow human being who is drowning in their own thoughts and feelings.
A Poem About Alzheimer’s
Do not ask me to remember.
Don’t try to make me understand.
Let me rest and know you’re with me.
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concept.
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me.
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t help the way I’m acting,
Can’t be different ‘though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone.
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
Love me ’till my life is done.
– Unknown
In the years of our participation in nursing home ministry, we often found ourselves sharing with care facility residents who were afflicted by the mental and emotional tangles of dementia. We have witnessed the Holy Spirit ministering joy, peace and love to them in the melody of Amazing Grace, in reciting John 3:16, and in the atmosphere of the little gathering in the activity room as we led them in sincere prayer. If you are a nursing home minister, we encourage you to keep singing, keep sharing God’s Word, keep leading them to reach out to their loving Savior in prayer. Whatever confusion or emotion we saw on their faces as we began a “church service” often dissipated into expressions of praise to God, hopeful eyes, and smiles of comfort.
Who can tell the glorious, victorious exhalations that will surround the throne of Jesus from the liberated hearts and minds of His children who struggled thru the mental ravages of Alzheimer’s in their journey here on earth?
The old favorite hymns in our hymn booklets, the familiar scriptures we have included with them, the music and the videos we produce to accompany the hymns, the devotionals we share on our website…with all we are trying to point the care facility residents to the faith, the hope and the love found in Jesus Christ. In His name, we thank each of you who help us in this work.
Love in Christ,
Jerry and Dar Johnson