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TRUE STORY:
Talking about 'old songs' has got my mind running like a sanctified whirlwind tonight... so I thought about something I just did at a funeral.
My daughter-in-law's Grandmother (a precious Saint) passed away a little over a year ago. She had been a faithful Saint for years until Alzheimers began to chew away at her memories.
She ended up in a nursing home and would seldom remember anybody. In her checkered mind her son (Jimmy) was three different people: Her husband, her married son and her infant baby. Alzheimers is so cruel at times.
Ironically, however, she always remembered me. She'd hold my hand and tell me about how much she loved me and my preaching (I can't believe I'm crying in the middle of the night at a stupid computer) but when I would turn the conversation towards God she would say, "Now, where does He live again?"
Even so, whenever we prayed she would talk in tongues and weep like a baby. She was, in every sense of the word, a precious Elder who was loved by all.
For her passing I prepared the eulogy and a funeral message but, when it came time to give the eulogy, I was overwhelmed and told the congregation through tears, "I could say so much. I could comfort you with words that would help us deal with the cruelty of this thing called Alzheimers but all that really needs to be said about [the Sister's name] and her 'condition' was said a long time ago in a song that takes on new meaning to me today."
And with that I simply started singing...
"I Shall Know Him
I Shall Know Him
As Redeemed By His Side I Shall Stand!
I Shall Know Him
I Shall Know Him
By The Prints Of The Nails In His Hands!"
God swept through that place like a river and the congregation stood to their feet and sang until our pain gave way to victory.
What a great God!
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