4:24 p.m. Today's project was to call in two of Steve's prescriptions to CVS and check on one that needed doctor approval before his office closed, in time to pick them up today. Calling at 2 p.m. was already too late for the doctor, but at least their office had contacted the pharmacy and the pills are ready. Praise the Lord, at least the other two prescriptions still had refills left, enabling me to use the automated refill phone system.
Steve has 5 prescriptions, plus many nutritional supplements that are known to be helpful for heart health, blood circulation and brain sharpness, like magnesium, phosphatidylserine (PS), gingko biloba, B-complex, fish oil, COQ 10 and the Shaklee mega-multivitamin, Vitalea. (In the interest of full disclosure, I take many of the same supplements, plus H.A. and MSM to stave off arthritis). It's no mean task to keep all the supplements and meds in order, and last year I actually had enough Rx co-pays and medical expenses to enter them on our tax return!
Steve takes many good substances, eats organic produce most of the year from our garden, and exercises very actively with the dogs each day, walking 2 miles up and down our hilly neighborhood, but it is for the Lord to ameliorate the progress of his Alzheimers. Psalm 103:3 says it is the Lord "Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases." Steve and I are both born again, confess our sins regularly to one another and the Lord, and try to apply the guidance of the Scriptures and heed the voice of the Holy Spirit in our daily decisionmaking. However, we are still counting on the Lord for every inch of ground Steve holds against this wretched affliction!
The first part of the verse, about forgiving all of our sins, reminds me of the wild scene in John 9:1-41, which begins with the disciples seeing a man born blind and asking, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him." This chapter has always been one of my favorites, because of the unusual healing method Jesus used, making clay with spit to put on his eyes; the commotion cause by the blind man's healing; his parents' talking back to the Pharisees; and the man getting kicked out of the synagogue for testifying truthfully about Jesus healing Him, leading to his faith in Christ.
I am particularly fascinated by the original question of who sinned, the man or his parents, taking into account that a baby could sin in the womb, according to Jewish beliefs. But there is real relevance here for Steve and our children, because his Alzheimers is inherited. His father had it, and his 57 year old brother is already in a care home because of it. A "family curse" has been suggested by one of his siblings, but I believe it's much more likely to be "family genetics" myself. My personal example is a lot less devastating, but the arthritis I've inherited from my own mother causes constant vigilance to defeat, and even so, I often awaken at night with pains in my legs and get up feeling quite stiff. And I certainly do not feel cursed or even put upon! We live in a fallen world where disease is rampant, a judgment for universal sin.
I'm going to stick with Jesus' words as to the reason for that particular man's blindness for that place and time: "that the works of God should be revealed in him." And the works of God are revealed in us also, when we stay strong in faith despite disappointing physcial circumstances or crushing losses. Even when Steve begins a day basically disoriented, makes illogical objections to helpful suggestions, loses items he had in his own hands, has no idea what we talked about a minute before, and cannot tell his left from his right, we can still have a great day together, just not based on task completion or facts. He can work safely on self-chosen projects and help me around the house. And we can enjoy the benefits of the most wonderful relationship on this side of heaven: marriage!
Our God's works are revealed in us now in part, but they will be evident in full, glorious view one day in His very presence! And Steve will be healed.
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