As Linda and I have journeyed through her long battle with Alzheimer’s, we have discovered that no two days are the same. Rather than allowing that to become a source of discouragement, which is a constant threat, we have chosen to allow it to move us toward a greater understanding of God’s plan for our lives:
He Cares About the Little Things.
Upon moving into a new home in August of 2013, we excitedly started the process of developing the landscaping. A huge hurdle was the planting of trees: With the exception of a long row of evergreens across the back, there were none. Furthermore, we did not have years to wait for saplings to mature; this was especially true of the flowering varieties that Linda loved. Interestingly, just a few feet from our driveway, our neighbors had a fully developed weeping cherry that produced breathtaking flowers in early spring. In the fall of 2014, they informed us it was blocking the view from their dining room, was going to be removed, and was ours for the asking. Seizing the moment, a landscaper was hired to move it, complete with the root ball, to the back of our house. Showing up with inadequate equipment, less than an hour later, our tree was lying on the ground with the root system looking like splintered toothpicks. Placed into position with freshly packed earth around it, everything looked normal; but we knew the truth – even with proper fertilization, our tree was doomed! In a leap of faith, we decided to stand upon a promise that Jesus had made:
“TrulyI tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them (Mark 11: 23-24 NIV).
If an onlooker had been present, they would have had every reason to believe we were quite simplistic. Not only did we pray for the tree, we spoke blessings over it, and thanked God for the beauty that was coming to our backyard. Before you dismiss this story as misguided zeal, l urge you to closely look at the picture accompanying this blog. Taken on March 27, 2015, it is Linda under that very tree. Even though Alzheimer’s was already knocking on the door, its awful fury was still ahead. By the time I moved her into Legacy Village on October 1, 2018, we had enjoyed those blooms for three more seasons. Two days ago, I called the present owners to check on our answer to prayer. Right on time, this year’s blooms have dropped off and growth of new leaves is taking place.
He is Present as the Disease Progresses.
Before I share this week’s journey, let me address a question that will surely arise: If God could breathe new life into a tree which had no root system, why did he not heal Linda in response to years of intercessory prayer? I don’t know! However, I do know he has used suffering to produce within us the fruit of the Spirit, an increased awareness of his presence, and a willingness to unconditionally submit to his will:
- Last week, I noted that Linda had awakened with a swollen thumb, was unsteady on her feet, and went back to bed for several hours. The results from the diagnostics and lab work came back on Monday of this week: The urine sample was negative for bacteria and the ultrasound showed no blood clots in her hand. Therefore, her Primary Care Provider determined that she should continue on an antibiotic because her white blood cells were elevated, which indicates there is infection somewhere in her body.
- There has been an improvement in the swollen thumb and she is much steadier on her feet; however, the rubbing of her head, arms and legs continues. On a positive note, Friday was a special day. While taking care of Linda at home and prior to the pandemic at Legacy Village, I always kept her toenails clipped and the thickening, which occurs with age, under control. My hope that she would be receptive to a renewal of my efforts proved to be well- founded. Strangely, knowing that her shoes fit more comfortably provides me with great satisfaction.
He Has Prepared a Certain Destiny.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”(Revelation 21:3-4 NIV).
Ron Harvard Ministries 