Aging: It is not death to die

It seems lately that I am pondering aging quite a bit.  I am dealing with my own middle age...the unfulfilled desires, the dreams that won't be achievable, the search for contentment in Christ alone.  

I'm also blessed (yes, I said blessed) to get to watch my parents deal with the aging process.  With my Dad's cancer and my Mom's TN (Trigeminal neuralgia) I get to watch them live out their Theology and it is an amazing and humbling thing.  As I helplessly watch their struggle with pain, disease and even their own sin in this broken world, I am repeatedly shown God's faithfulness and that He.is.enough.  

AND...I also am experiencing the awful, awful world of dementia as my grandparents struggle and I prepare to visit them and love them well.  I've been perusing blogs on this subject and thought I'd share them below.

Alzheimer's, the Brain, and the Soul-  "To prepare for memory loss, read the Bible, pray, and sing every day — and tell loved ones about your disciplines."

7 Resolutions for Aging and Dying Well- AND 8 Resolutions on Aging-  These ones probably spoke most to what I've been struggling with...my own sinfulness and the fear that I will dishonor God in my old age...when my mind goes.  I need to resolve some of these things...now.

The Dignity of those with Dementia-  "The real test and the real question for me was, Would I patiently, graciously — as if for the first time on the tenth time — answer him with grace and interest, engaging the person who was there in that moment? Such challenges of love are no accident. They are no accident." 

"God didn’t dream that into my life for nothing. That was a painful gift to me and a test. We all will have them, so let us be full of grace as we give ourselves to care for those who have become too weak physically or mentally to care for themselves. God’s priorities for efficiency in this world are not ours."

Retirement Homes or Caring for Aging Parents-  "The main issue for the Christian child of aging parents is not the precise circumstances. The main issue is, are we servants or are we selfish? Are we ready to sacrifice and trust God with the joy to meet every need?"

Amid all of this I like the words to this song...It is Not Death to Die...