Page 23 - Our Hands FALL 2019

CONGREGATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Joshua Baron
Chaplain - Senior Living
completely knoWn. completely accepted.

"Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it This is good news to one of the saints living at Samaritas named
completely." (Psalm 139:4) William. Whenever I ask for prayer requests during one of our
weekly gatherings William always offers what is on his heart with
sounds that only the Holy Spirit and William can discern. And
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our
even though it is so difficult to understand what William says, it
weakness. We do not know what we ought to is a thrill to affirm and validate him by saying, “God hears your
pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us prayer, William!”
through wordless groans. And he who searches And this is good news to another saint living at Samaritas

our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because named Margaret. She hardly ever misses a Bible study or chapel
the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in service, and so is always present when residents share some of
their stories of tragedy, trial, and hardship. And naturally, a
accordance with the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27) question that someone asks as follow up in this conversation is
“Why did God let that happen?” I’ve never heard a sufficient
"The Lord does not look at the things people look answer as to why God allows certain tragedies in our life so
at. People look at the outward appearance, but I’ve stopped trying to provide an easy answer or nice Christian
platitude. Instead I say, “I don’t know why God allowed that to
the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) happen. That must’ve been so difficult for you.” And out of the
silence, with a voice brimming with empathy, compassion, and
These verses often come to mind as I go about my daily work trust, Margaret will always say, “But God knows.”
as chaplain of Samaritas Senior Living in Grand Rapids. I have
many opportunities to worship and pray with people living with And this is good news for those who care for loved ones liv-
dementia. One of the things that dementia can rob a person of ing with dementia, too. The role of caregiver can be filled with
is the ability to communicate with words. That’s because part of loneliness and isolation. Caregivers often communicate differ-
the brain that dementia attacks first is the frontal lobe in the left ently with a loved one who is living with dementia, withhold-
hemisphere of the brain. This part of the brain is responsible ing certain information for their own well-being, or stuck in
for producing and processing language. This results in problems a repetitive pattern of conversation. Sometimes a caregiver is
with word-finding skills. In late-stage dementia, a person may simply too drained or tired to put words to their emotions and
lose the ability to speak at all. In effect, a person living with so they express what’s on their heart through tears. God knows
dementia may know what they want to say but be unable to say the groaning of your heart and accepts you completely, too.
it. How frustrating that must be! It can also lead to
embarrassment and have a negative impact on feelings of
self-worth, leading to withdrawal, isolation, and depression. If you have a loved one living with dementia, please
consider joining a Caregiver Support Group. You can
But, scripture promises us that even when we can’t find the find a support group near you by visiting www.alz.
words to say or pray, God hears us! The God who made us org/help-support/community/support-groups.
knows us intimately - even better than we know ourselves. God Samaritas Senior Living in Grand Rapids also
knows the words and prayers that are in our heart but can’t find provides a support group which meets every 2nd
their way to our lips. And the God who made us and knows us Monday of the month. Please contact Josh Baron
also loves and accepts us…Just the way we are. at jbaro@samaritas.org for more information.

23