Have you ever been tempted to feel sorry for yourself? It’s a common temptation for caregivers to dementia patients. I’m usually able to “nip it in the bud;” however, last week was different. It all began, when I learned that room visits at Legacy Village were going to be paused for several days. I understood why and agreed with the decision; nevertheless, I lost my equilibrium. Memories of living through the pandemic flooded my mind. The menu quickly grew to include my physical aches and pains resulting from the seemingly unending rain (Surely, my age could have nothing to do with it!), unrelenting financial obligations, and for good measure, a very unsatisfactory repair on my new refrigerator. Never one to waste an opportunity to exacerbate misery, Satan willingly joined the party and paraded by every conceivable past hurt and failure. Through self-counseling, practicing my usual spiritual disciplines, and a rehearsal of past blessings, my pity party was cut short. Then, God helped me remember the core value of my life and instruction He gave me in what seems like an eternity ago, “You must focus on Linda’s gain and not your loss!” Finally, four verses from a classic hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” tied everything together:
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame,
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of sinners was slain.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me,
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above,
To bear it to dark Calvary.
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.
Core Value of My Life
When I think of all the years I spent studying behavior through the lens of limited human wisdom, which is constantly changing in scope and application, I am amazed at how Paul succinctly unpacks unchanging truth with profound applicable simplicity:
Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us. Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God. What incredible joy bursts forth within us as we keep on celebrating our hope of experiencing God’s glory!
But that’s not all! Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us (Romans 5:1-5 TPT)!
Linda’s Gain
I am quite sure if Linda were writing this with me, she would assure you Paul encapsulates her hope:
…I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus…we are a colony of heaven on earth as we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ,who will transform our humble bodies and transfigure us into the identical likeness of his glorified body. And using his matchless power, he continually subdues everything to himself (Philippians 3:12-14, 20-21 TPT).
Now, let’s bring closure: My week which began as a pity party has done a 180 degree turn; misery has given way to a praise celebration. It would be easy to conclude that God delivered me from my circumstances; however, nothing could be further from the truth. The rains have lessened, and I am now able to see Linda again. Other than that, all the old pressures are there, and some new ones are now in the mix. The difference is in my perspective: I have submitted to His will, received His peace, and am looking forward to what lies ahead with joyful confidence!
Ron Harvard Ministries 