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Length of Days - Search for Freedom

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The Long Leaving

I was thinking about someone with Alzheimer’s disease this morning. As I watch him, I think of it as the “Long Leaving.” His personality comes through from time to time and I thank God for the snippets of the one I knew but who has already started for Home. Let us pray:

“Oh Loving Father, the God of all that is good and right and beautiful, we sing your praises for the opportunity to know, and to have known, those who struggle with this world as they journey Home. We call its name Alzheimer’s and ask that you cast out our fear when we hear it mentioned. We know not why some reach the doorsteps of Heaven in a flash as the result of an accident or sudden death, and others linger along the way, neither here nor totally there. But, as we watch their eyes and see them leaving us, we know they are nearing your arms and we shout for joy for their arriving Home. We miss them and sometimes grow impatient with their Long Leaving, but we also rest assured that, if they are not here with us, they are there with you. It is our own impatience that is the hard part of their journey. Let us not grow weary in taking care of the body, as we watch the Spirit leave. We, your children, are not long on patience and for that we seek your forgiveness. We pray for a full measure of love, so we can see our loved ones safely leave this earth. We thank you for being at the door, calling them home, to insure they don’t lose their way. Thank you, Father, for all your blessings. We praise you and give you glory and honor and praise. In the name of your son, our redeemer, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen”
Doris
Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

3 comments:

  1. I just watched a fascinating doc on PBS Sun night on this subject. You'd like it.

    A friend and I read to an Altz unit at a local nursing home weekly and really enjoy it. It's a pretty devastating disease. So sad. Thanks for this.
    Kayleen

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  2. Doris, I would ask for special prayer for our new pastor's wife. Susan. Three weeks before they were to come to our church she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The type she has is very rare and the recovery rate is VERY small. She is in a very aggressive chemo and I would ask for prayer for her please. Our prayer is very specific. "God, we are asking that the cancer cells are killed." Thank you for adding her to your prayer list.

    Jackie

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  3. Sometimes we forget to report when prayers are answered. This morning, Carla said her brother is better and is now home. Praise the Lord.
    Doris

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