After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace—who has called you into His eternal glory in Messiah—will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.  1 Peter 5:10, TLV

Our Final Destination.   For those who aren’t aware, my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in December 2021. Since admitting her into a beautiful, well-staffed assisted living facility mom has had covid twice (yes, she was twice vaccinated and boosted). Although it was a very light case, she lost 10 pounds. On a 4’11” frame that is a lot. Still, after she tested negative and finished quarantine and people could visit, the photos showed her wide, cute smile.

The other night, when I called I thought I had awoken her, but she was sobbing. Most of what she said initially was incoherent, finally I figured out that she was lonely and missed her family — specifically her great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was heartbroken — and so was I.

With this disease, she doesn’t always remember when she’s had visitors. Most times we can get to the place where she’ll remember and then she’ll cheer up. Other times, it doesn’t matter if someone visited her that morning, it’s not enough.

I think she misses her true home.

So, this morning here comes this verse from YouVersion as the Verse of the Day.

Today, bittersweet emotions are bubbling together. As difficult as it is to hear my mother’s suffering, I’ve read the medical reports, I know it will get worse. But Peter comforts us that it will only be a little while in comparison to an eternity basking in our Messiah’s eternal glory. I’m taking that comfort and holding it tight.

Last year I tried to read a psalm with her and then say the LORD’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). But she couldn’t handle the psalm reading and she wanted to say the prayer. So that’s where we are today and she does pretty well, even if she’s emotional and sad. She might need a bit of prompting, but not much considering. Then we say our “I love yous.”

Remember the old saying of “the light at the end of the tunnel”? Our Light is at the end of our tunnel. And He will be waiting with open arms. That’s my comfort for my mom and my prayer that we can arrive at that understanding during those days.

Mom, in perspective of eternity, this suffering will be small. Our Light is at the end of this bleak and jagged tunnel. Until then, we’ll make the most of the days we have.

For anyone going through similar trials with a loved one, I hope this verse will help. In prayer, I agree with you that our Father’s Holy Spirit will give you sanity and compassion and love as you travel this tunnel with them.

Shabbat Shalom!