Is anybody there?
There is growing awareness of the problems of mental health in 21st Century Britain. Some suffer the effects of conditions like Alzheimers disease that can affect moods or memory or ability to make decisions.
There are many causes of dementia - some long term and others short term. And there are many different kinds of disability affecting ability to learn and communicate. All of them can be tragic and heartbreaking.
One woman’s story begins “It was a cold rainy night when there was a knock my door. ‘Mum, what are you doing here?’ I said to a freezing, soaking wet Mum. I took her in and gave her a towel and a hot drink. She finally explained she had lost her keys. Her speech had recently gone really bad but she always assured me it was because she had her teeth out. I took her back to her house to see the front door wide open. I told Mum that was dangerous and she shouldn’t leave her door open. The keys were under her pillow - we laughed and that was that.”
As the story develops it becomes clear that “that” was not that. It was the beginning of many encounters and limited medical help. A series of mini strokes had caused Alzheimers. There were some smiles and may tears. Life changed for the whole family.
The story is repeated many times and it can be painful to watch a loved one change personality, lose capacity to think clearly or even communicate.
God wants us to be healthy in spirit, mind, emotions and body. But we have to recognise this is a fallen, broken, dysfunctional world in which things are not as they should be nor as they will be when Jesus returns and completes the new creation.
There is hope for the future: Romans 8:19-21 “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
But how do we cope with the challenges of loved ones or friends who, for whatever reason, have difficulties understanding or remembering? Part of the pain is wondering if the “real person” is still able to encounter God. After all there is a lot in the Bible about using our minds, changing our thinking (the root meaning of “repent” in the New Testament is “change of mind”). Can people with dementia know God? There are many clues in scripture that point to leaving such questions for God to answer at the end of time: Matt 7:1-5 and many of the psalms, for example, or Gen 18:25. The Judge will do right.
How do we help people affected? As always the key is love. Loving our friends, family members or neighbours and colleagues who have a loved one with dementia might mean different things. It might be a listening ear. It might mean helping with transport or meals. It might simply mean showing sympathy. It always means praying for healing and for strength and grace for those affected.
Do we know people who might need some encouragement and help?
- Chris Horton
There are many causes of dementia - some long term and others short term. And there are many different kinds of disability affecting ability to learn and communicate. All of them can be tragic and heartbreaking.
One woman’s story begins “It was a cold rainy night when there was a knock my door. ‘Mum, what are you doing here?’ I said to a freezing, soaking wet Mum. I took her in and gave her a towel and a hot drink. She finally explained she had lost her keys. Her speech had recently gone really bad but she always assured me it was because she had her teeth out. I took her back to her house to see the front door wide open. I told Mum that was dangerous and she shouldn’t leave her door open. The keys were under her pillow - we laughed and that was that.”
As the story develops it becomes clear that “that” was not that. It was the beginning of many encounters and limited medical help. A series of mini strokes had caused Alzheimers. There were some smiles and may tears. Life changed for the whole family.
The story is repeated many times and it can be painful to watch a loved one change personality, lose capacity to think clearly or even communicate.
God wants us to be healthy in spirit, mind, emotions and body. But we have to recognise this is a fallen, broken, dysfunctional world in which things are not as they should be nor as they will be when Jesus returns and completes the new creation.
There is hope for the future: Romans 8:19-21 “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
But how do we cope with the challenges of loved ones or friends who, for whatever reason, have difficulties understanding or remembering? Part of the pain is wondering if the “real person” is still able to encounter God. After all there is a lot in the Bible about using our minds, changing our thinking (the root meaning of “repent” in the New Testament is “change of mind”). Can people with dementia know God? There are many clues in scripture that point to leaving such questions for God to answer at the end of time: Matt 7:1-5 and many of the psalms, for example, or Gen 18:25. The Judge will do right.
How do we help people affected? As always the key is love. Loving our friends, family members or neighbours and colleagues who have a loved one with dementia might mean different things. It might be a listening ear. It might mean helping with transport or meals. It might simply mean showing sympathy. It always means praying for healing and for strength and grace for those affected.
Do we know people who might need some encouragement and help?
- Chris Horton
Posted in chrishorton
No Comments