The wife of a family member described his dementia: “He clearly remembers seventy years ago but cannot remember five minutes ago.” Of course this results in communication problems and frustration for both of them.
I just read a long description of how God brings “dry bones” to life again. This prophetic vision is recorded in Ezekiel and has various interpretations. After the assurance of new life, the prophet describes God’s hatred of sin and the judgment it merits. The writer says “we almost cringe at the thought of our own faults and the memory of our failings. But then we read God’s summary, in the last paragraph. There, nestled in verses that express the compassion God will show when judgment is past”…
They shall forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they dwell securely in their land with none to make them afraid. (Ezekiel 39:26)This author goes on to say: “What a wonderful promise! Yes, we’re weak. We stumble, and sometimes fall. And then what a burden of shame and guilt we bear. But God promises that when we see Him, when we truly ‘know that I am the LORD’ and no shred of memory of our sins will remain to mar our joy.”
I thought of the memories of dementia, usually good experiences and shared without complaint. But I also wonder if some of them are coming to mind because they involve sin that was neglected to confess and God is giving His people a second chance to clear the slate and have those sins cleared out of memory. Those who read these posts know how much I value this verse to spiritual growth and well-being:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)I’ve noted that dementia involves the frustration of being unable to do things that once were easy. Many who suffer from memory loss are angry and often lash out blaming others for their problems instead of taking personal responsibility for their own behavior. One author writes about how the Holy Spirit, indwelling dementia sufferers who are Christian or not, is able to speak to their sin and enable change, It’s encouraging to realize that even with severe memory loss, our lives can change.
Could it be that those who only remembering the past are experiencing a gracious gift from the Lord? Would this help them deal with sinful attitudes that were pushed aside or excused in the busyness of life? Do those memories come back for the purpose of confession and repentance? I’ve never heard this before, and my memory loss is mostly mild inattention. If this theory amounts to nothing, one lesson from the dry bones story is that forgiven still means forgotten! Even now I can put my past behind me, and live in joy. I can also not worry about memory loss for the Lord is still the Lord.
PRAY: Jesus, perhaps those who struggle with onsetting forgetfulness are receiving a taste of eternity. There You will put even the old memories into the ‘forgotten’ category. However, You will not leave our minds blank and unable. You already have given us the joy of focusing on You in worship and adoration. You also tell us to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” and with that mind we will be able to discern Your good and acceptable and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) By the power of the Holy Spirit, may all who struggle with memory loss rejoice that it could merely be a foretaste of this great blessing to come.
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