Life-changing encounters with God do not always occur under ideal circumstances in pristine locations. In 1983, while pastoring in Athens, Georgia, late one night I was driving an old blue Dodge van on the bypass around the city. Returning home after working on the house that I was building for my family, I was tired, lonely, and discouraged. At that time, reflecting on the numerous obstacles that I was facing and trying to find a way to move forward; I would have welcomed a word of encouragement, sympathy, or even agreement that I was being mistreated. Instead, God powerfully impressed upon my heart: “…always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1b NLT). In the past, I had received those familiar words as a good idea or material for a sermon. This time, they became a divine mandate! Between January 1 and April 15 of 2017, persistent prayer and a refusal to give up enabled me to better understand the complexity of Alzheimer’s, live through a nightmare, make a huge decision and see light at the end of the tunnel.
Complexity of the Disease
As my understanding of the disease increased, I developed a greater appreciation for the specialists who were attempting to relieve my wife’s suffering. Four facts became very clear to me:
- In this case, a diagnosis required the elimination of countless possibilities.
- Their collective efforts led to a correct diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
- Selecting correct medicines and dosages is like trying to hit a moving target.
- Satan exploits the weaknesses created by the natural progression of the disease.
Living Through a Nightmare
Prior to, and even as Linda was losing her lucidity, we persistently prayed that our lives might manifest righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. That goal was now threatened. As this horrible disease progressed, she:
- Talked to imaginary persons, becoming more agitated as conversations unfolded
- Accused me of infidelity with caregivers and even family members
- Insisted that I had stolen her possessions and inheritance
- Obsessed over impending natural disasters and believed that she was dying
- Worried that she had missed the Rapture of the Church
- Tried to break the door locks and force windows open
- Developed problems with rapid breathing and blood pressure
- Often expressed remorse after tempestuous outbursts
A Huge Decision
Subjecting Linda to the stress of receiving care in three cities became untenable. Thankfully, I found At Home Primary Care, a local group specializing in geriatric medicine. Their focus is on quality of life and, as much as possible, helping patients maintain a sense of peace.
- All visits, lab work, and diagnostic tests would now be done in our home.
- A DNA test was given to determine which medicines her body could best metabolize.
- Changes in behavior were not immediate, but progress was soon noted.
- Linda is still under the care of this group.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Soon after starting her new regimen of medicine, Linda awakened me at 4:30 am with shouts of loud “Hallelujahs!” Wanting to savor the moment, for the next few minutes, using the old Red Back hymnal she had known as a girl, we sang:
We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love, For Jesus who died and is now gone a-bove.
Hal-le-lu-jah! Thine the Glory, Hal-le-lu-jah! a-men; Re-vive us a-gain.
All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain, Who has borne all our sins and has cleans’d every stain.
Hal-le-lu-jah! Thine the Glory, Hal-le-lu-jah! a-men; Re-vive us a-gain.
Revive us again, fill each heart with Thy Love, May each soul be re-kin-dled with fire from a-bove.
Hal-le-lu-jah! Thine the Glory, Hal-le-lu-jah! a-men; Re-vive us a-gain.
After celebrating with some more old songs she knew well, I encouraged her to rest in Jesus and go back to sleep. She got up around 7:30 am.
Several days later, on my birthday, all the men in my family took me out for a meal. Later, two of her sisters visited with Linda while I worked. After going to bed, she awakened in about 45 minutes quite happy over what she had seen — apparently it was a spiritual experience. In the early morning hours, she again awakened, reached for my hand and thanked me for all that I had done for her: what I had shown her, where I had taken her, and how I had helped her to see Jesus. In terms of birthday presents, this ranks near the top!
Taken as a whole, this period of time brings to mind the truthfulness of a rather obscure portion of Scripture: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12 NIV).
Ron Harvard Ministries 