The Spur – A Defining Love

“I think you’re my pastor’s wife.” The elderly woman smiled up at me from her wheelchair. I nodded and chatted with her for a moment. When I looked up, I saw her husband brushing away tears. His wife had days when she recognized hardly anyone. It was only a matter of time before she would not even know him. The tears were brushed away quickly and he kissed the top of her head as he told me she’d been doing very well lately. Then, as always, he told me how much he loved his wife. “More every day,” he’d say. “More every day.” As he wheeled her away I stood in awe of such love.

It takes a special kind of love to care for those who are not able to respond, like patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. That kind of love is described in the Bible this way:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

When we see such love lived, we stand in awe. How can this be done? How can we love this way, consistently, when it takes so much courage and strength and pure will to focus completely on someone else?

There is only one way, by relying on the One who is Love incarnate. His love flowing through us gives us the courage and strength and will. When we turn to Him and ask, “how can I do this?” He answers: “And now I will show you the most excellent way.” His love is pure and unconditional and totally other-focused. To demonstrate it, He gave his life for ours. He is the source of a pure and defining love.

Indeed, He is love.

Care giving for a person who has Alzheimer’s is one of the most difficult things anyone could attempt. To do it, one needs the kind of love only Jesus can provide. With Him as our source, anything is possible.

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This post is part of a blog tour honouring those who suffer with Alzheimer’s disease and those who care for them. Click on the links below to follow the tour.

Nov. 6th –Ruth L. Snyder- http://ruthlsnyder.com/

Nov. 7^th –Sheila Seiler Lagrand- http://sheilalagrand.com/

Nov. 8^th –Giovanni Gelati- http://gelatisscoop.blogspot.com/

Nov. 10^th –Ruth L. Snyder- http://ruthlsnyder.com/

Nov. 10^th –Cindy Noonan- http://www.cindynoonan.com/

Nov. 11^th-Sue Badeau- http://suebadeau.webs.com/apps/blog/

Nov. 12^th-Peggy Blann Phifer- http://www.whispersinpurple.com/

Nov. 13^th-Sandy Sieber- http://pahistorybooks.blogspot.com/

Nov. 13^th– Joy Ross Davis- http://joyrossdavis.com/blog/

Nov.14^th –Karen Gass- http://www.cottonspice.net/

Nov. 17^th –Patti J. Smith- http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/

Nov. 18^th-Tracy Krauss- http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/