THE LORD LOVED ME THROUGH THE PAIN

by Josephine Crestman
December 7, 2021

“But God has shown me that he doesn’t think anyone is unclean or unfit.”  (Acts 10:28 CEV)

My husband Mike has dementia and much of the time he is in his own world.  Times are few and far between that I get a glimpse of the man I married and still dearly love.  He is so precious to me, and I am devoted to him. We still do everything we can together.

My sister’s son-in-law was being ordained in Little Rock, Arkansas.  We planned on driving and taking my parents to the celebration.  My sister informed me that Mike and I were not welcome because of Mike’s dementia.  My parents had already asked me for a ride so went on and drove them. We dropped them at the door, dressed in our best Sunday duds.  I had hoped that my sister would change her mind.  My niece ushered my parents in and sent us away with , “Thanks for bringing them. Bye.”

During the return trip, I began to wonder if maybe we were a bother to our new church.  They had been very nice to us.  I questioned how they really felt.  When my own blood sister excludes us from a family event and a makes us feel so unwelcomed, makes one a bit self-conscious.

Soon after our return, we were at our church’s “Prayer and Praise.”  A lady who I had seen before but had not had the pleasure of meeting came up to me.  She sweetly hugged me and said, “We are so thankful to have you at our church. We are blessed watching you take care of him. We love watching him dance when he worships.” I thank God that our church loves us like Jesus.

God is so good. He answered my question with His love and the love of my church family.  This is not unusual.  He answers and speaks to me so often. I  am always amazed and  exceptionally appreciative, but never surprised!! God loves his children!

“The crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing.” (Luke 9:11 NIV)

I enCOURAGE you to love unconditionally like Jesus.  

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7 NIV)

(Josephine is an incredible sister in Christ and wife to Mike.  Her love for Mike is a beautiful thing to see.  The Lord led our prayer group to her through a miraculous chain of events.  As a group, we have prayed, and are believing for the healing of Mike’s mind.   Please join us in praying for them.)