He is 85 and insists on taking his wife’s hand everywhere they go. When he was asked why his wife kept looking away, he responded, “because she has Alzheimer’s”.
Then he was asked, will your wife worry if you let her go? He then replied, ′′she doesn’t remember anything, she doesn’t know who I am anymore, she hasn’t recognized me for years.”
Surprised, I said, “and you have continued to guide her every single day even though she doesn’t recognize you?”
The elderly man smiled and looked into my eyes and said, ′′she may not know who I am, but I know who she is, and she is the love of my life.”
#fblifesytle Credit goes to the respective owner
My Commentary:
This story captures one of the purest meanings of love.
The wife no longer recognizes her husband. Alzheimer’s has taken away names, memories, shared experiences, perhaps even the recollection of the life they built together. Yet every day, her husband reaches for her hand.
Why?
“She may not know who I am, but I know who she is.”
Those words come remarkably close to describing God’s love for us.
There are times when we forget God. We become distracted, confused, frightened, or lost. We may even live as though God were a stranger. Yet God never forgets us. Scripture tells us, “I have called you by name. You are mine.”
This husband does not love his wife because she remembers him. He loves her because he remembers her. His love is not dependent upon what she can give him in return. It is faithful simply because she is the woman he promised to love.
That is covenant love.
Marriage vows say, “in sickness and in health.” Those words are easy to speak before an altar when two people are young and hopeful. Their deepest meaning may come decades later, when one person must remember enough for both.
Perhaps that is why the image of an 85-year-old man holding his wife’s hand is so powerful. He cannot restore her memory. He cannot cure her disease.
But he can make certain she never walks alone.
And that is what God does for us.
Even when we forget God, God remembers us.
Even when we lose our way, God holds our hand.
And God never lets go.
How often do YOU realize that God has this kind of love for YOU?
WHEN GOD WANTS YOU TO GROW, GOD MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE!
Did you enjoy today’s story and Message? Then please share it. So many families are struggling with Alzheimer’s. They would appreciate this and the Daily Treats I send out every day. www.TreatsfortheSoul.org. Please don’t hesitate to sign up your family members and your friends. IT’S FREE!! They will thank and bless you for doing so.
