May Jesus, the Light of the World, brighten your day. And may he reach deep into that mental darkness of your elderly friend to bring comfort.
SHAUNA: Hi, I’m Shauna, on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. And Joni, we know God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and it’s a lamp for our mind.
JONI: It sure is Shauna. And we all know that verse from Psalm 119 – we’re told that the Word of God lights the path of our feet. But it also enlightens the mind. And I saw it happen when I was with my friend. I was visiting a nursing home back in New Jersey. It was owned by Marvin Van Dyke, a supporter of our outreach and he wanted to show us around. We were really impressed; the place was brightly lit, beautifully decorated, clean. The ladies in the kitchen prepared a wonderful luncheon for us, and Marvin invited several residents of the nursing home to come and join us. Now, one of the attendees was his former pastor, the Reverend Herrmann Braunlin. This precious man of God had pastored Hawthorne Bible Church for over 30 years, but Alzheimer’s disease had eventually robbed him of any ability to think clearly or carry on a conversation. Nevertheless, Reverend Braunlin came to the luncheon impeccably dressed in a suit and tie, his hair neatly combed, shoes shined.
We were introduced and this pastor smiled and greeted us warmly. He didn’t talk much, though. He spent most of the time wandering around the room and looking out the window. A couple of times, he turned to me and my friend, and there was this vacant look in his eyes, but it would clear. And he would extend his hand and ask, “Hello there, and what’s your name?” Marvin had us all sit at the table and, to my surprise, he asked Reverend Braunlin to say the blessing over our meal. Without flinching, the elderly pastor rose from his seat at the table, leaned on his hands, and began, “O gracious heavenly Father, we bow before you this day to humbly ask your blessing on these, our friends, and upon this meal, which has been prepared by the hands of servants who love you. Strengthen us and endue us plenteously from on high with every grace and blessing so that we too might serve you with whole and devoted hearts. In the name of Christ our Lord, Amen.” Well, my friend and I looked at each other in amazement. But Marvin was not surprised at all; he smiled and thanked his old pastor.
That’s when Reverend Braunlin sat down, and his vacant gaze returned. It was as though the whole room had filled with light from heaven. And it did not go out. This pastor and his heartfelt prayer brightened our hearts so much. To this day, I’ve never forgotten him nor his testimony. God’s Word is a light not only to our path but to our thinking. When we hide it in our hearts, we never walk in darkness.
Tomorrow is World Alzheimer’s Day, a time when we remember people like Pastor Braunlin and their needs. We also think of the impact of this disease. The Alzheimer’s Association says it’s a degenerative brain disease caused by neurological changes connected with brain damage. An early symptom of Alzheimer’s? It’s when a person has trouble remembering new information; that’s because the disease first impacts the area of the brain associated with learning. And you can learn more by visiting joniradio.org where I’ve posted a link to The Alzheimer’s Association. And finally, if you are caring for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s, may Jesus, the Light of the World, brighten your day. And may he reach deep into that mental darkness of your elderly friend to bring comfort. Again, visit us at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends