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Remembering that God knows what's best in every situation

By Father Dennis Meinen
View from the scooter

I'd say to God, why did you let this happen to me?

Sometimes I see our CNA'S (Certified Nursing Assistant's) painting a resident's nails (Is that what you call that?) or simply sitting in an empty wheel chair next to the resident to "shoot the breeze. I remember the story called "Rocking With Me," and wonder if you've ever tried it.

There was once an elderly, despondent woman in a nursing home. She wouldn't speak to anyone or request anything. She merely existed - rocking in her creaky old rocking chair. The old woman didn't have many visitors. But every couple mornings, a concerned and wise young nurse would go into her room. She didn't try to speak or ask questions of the old lady. She simply pulled up another rocking chair beside the old woman and rocked with her. Weeks or months later, the old woman finally spoke. 'Thank you,' she said. 'Thank you for rocking with me.'"

One lesson, for me, is that people with dementia remind us that we are all deficient in spiritual memory, that we are largely forgetful of the Creative Presence that set up a universe to give rise to creatures like ourselves. Don't you think that religion is in large part an effort at memory enhancement through speech, symbol, and ritual?

The Prophets were sent to remind Israel of its covenants with the Lord; Christians celebrate the Eucharist with the words of Jesus, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). One person said, "I'd say to God, why did you let this happen to me? I had such a good career. Everything was going fine for me. God would say to me probably, "Well, why did you fight it? I was trying to lead you in this direction." Oh, I didn't realize that. Well, I've come to the conclusion that everything has a purpose, so the Good Lord, He knows the best for you. So maybe this was to slow me down to enjoy life and to enjoy my family and to enjoy what's out there. And right now, I can say that I'm a better person for it, in appreciation of other people's needs and illnesses, than I ever was when I was working that rat race back and forth day to day.
 

THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM FOR WOMEN

The Lord is my peace. I shall not live in anxiety. He puts me under His wings of comfort and calms my spirit within me. He takes all my anxieties on Himself and helps me to focus on Him. Yes, though I walk through a time of grave uncertainties and fierce anxieties, I will not fret-for You are my peace. Your Word and Your presence calm me now. You hold my uncertainties in the palm of Your hand. You smooth my wrinkled brow. Surely serenity and trust in You shall fill me all the days of my life. And I shall keep my mind stayed on You forever.- JUDY BOOTH FROM CALM MY ANXIOUS HEART