Her new book: "The Long Goodbye" is filled with touching stories of seeing her father decline as Alzheimer's disease took its toll. She says of the disease: "It snips away at the threads, a slow unraveling, a steady retreat (from the conscious world)." Much about an individual's memories is revealed by the middle stages of the disease. Things of little value and events that made only a slight impression are no longer brought to mind. That's why I was touched by Patti's recollections of the times when her father and mother and her family could still attend church together. Mr. Reagan was no longer able to comprehend the complexities of the sermon, read from the Bible, follow an announcement, but two aspects of the service triggered his memory and got his lips moving coherently. He could recite every word of The Lord's Prayer and knew by heart the concluding doxology: "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost." Thomas Ken's words of 1674 and the model prayer Jesus taught His disciples were written down deep on his heart. It's so clear that Ronald Reagan loved Nancy to the end of his days. The final vision of his earthly eyes were cast in the direction of the one woman on all the earth that had captivated his heart. No one doubts that Mr. Reagan loved this nation. He believed intensely in the good it could accomplish on earth. Its becoming clear too that he loved God even into the growing mental darkness of Alzheimer's. John Denver's song seems so appropriate: "Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door. It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more and even if you lose yourself and don't know what to do the memory of love will see you through." Patti Davis wrote of the day that her father and her arrived at the ranch to hear the sad news that a beloved horse had died. The man conveying the news and the little girl were in tears, but Reagan stood gazing upwards with shining eyes. He later related to Patti that his thoughts were of all the wonderful times he and the family had spent in the company of that faithful steed. How much more precious are the memories of times spent with a beloved spouse, a parent or child, or even a trusted friend. They will buoy you up in the day of sorrow. The Bible tells of how we come into and leave the world naked. Be very sure that the fame, wealth and even the health you grasp so tightly now will be left behind. The only thing of value you can take through the valley of the shadow of death is love. Even if your name is on a hundred honor rolls, if you have not learned to love the Lord your God your sojourn in this life has been wasted. Even if, like Elvis, you filled the dreams of a horde of fans, but never found the grace to be true to a spouse, you will, like him, die disillusioned and frustrated. Love is what matters. How is it today with your soul? The God Who created you loves you and its amazing - He yearns to be loved by you. Consider your latest prayers. Some pray to manipulate, some pray to escape consequences and yet others pray for ease. Ah, how few pray just to worship! Perhaps you don't think the habit of worship in prayer makes much difference to living. As a pastor I've been at many deathbeds. I assert that a lifetime of loving God makes a great difference in dying. William Piggott wrote wisely of these who pass away at peace with God: "There are no tears within their eyes, with love they keep perpetual tryst and praise and work and rest are one with Thee, O Christ." There's a time coming when you can no longer work at relationships. Patti recalled looking at how her father's ranch callused hands had become soft as his journey ended. Build those relationships today. Tomorrow is promised to none. |