Joyful but Sad!

Yesterday we held our service  in the Alzheimer's wing of one of the larger nursing homes in the area. While we are pleased to see so many in attendance to hear the Word of God, at the same time it brings sadness to us as we watch those who we've known for some time drift farther away in their awareness because of this debilitating disease. The service was especially noisy and disruptive, but we press on hoping for that "window of opportunity" to open just enough for the truth of God's love through Christ to find an understanding heart. I just can't imagine what it must be like to sit with family and/or friends and not even know who they are, or where you now live. Recently, I helped one man who wanted to go home, back to his room. I showed him some of his familiar things on his wall and around his room, but he was insistent that this was not where he lived. He just would not go in. Finally, he decided he would stay out in the "family room" with the rest of the people. One lady sadly told me that she did not know where she lived and could I help her find her way.  Surrounded, as we are all the time,  by death and dying plus witnessing the sadness of a disease like Alzheimers, the nursing home ministry is not always joyful.....but oh how necessary!!! Praise God for His grace and mercy towards these dear ones, and for every opportunity we get to share Christ with them.