Note to my readers: This post is a repost from 2012, with some minor changes. With the upcoming release of my book This Side of Yesterday, this book series has been on my mind.

Whom have I in heaven but Thee?  And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.  My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm  73:25-26

A few years ago I watched TV show about Alzheimer’s and I began to wonder…..what would it be like to forget?

Waking up one morning and not knowing the man lying in bed beside me or coming to dinner and seeing only strangers at my table would be unnerving. Leaving a store and not knowing how to get home would be frightening. Having no idea who my children were when they called to sing Happy Birthday would be like living in a nightmare where I didn’t exist.    But the thought of forgetting God horrified me worse than any fear I knew or imagined.

Without God, how would I know that there would be a day when I would remember?  Without God, who would I call on when I couldn’t remember who to call for help when I was in trouble or lonely?  Without God, what purpose would I have?   I cried out to God, “whatever happens, don’t let me forget you!”  

Recently (2012), a wonderful book was published: The Unraveling of Reverend G. The author asked the same question hidden in my heart. It made me squirm a bit at first, being inside her head and remembering my own questions and fears. And I can’t tell you what happens – you need to get the book for yourself –but I can tell you that now that I have finished the book, I’ve decided that Reverend G is one of my heroes for old age and

I would never want to have dementia or Alzheimers, but I do want to live life a bit like her. As I think on that, and ponder what I want to be so much a part of me I don’t have to remember it because I do it like breathing, a few things come to mind.

I want His voice to be the one I long to hear more than any other.

I want His word in my heart.

I want joy and laughter a constant companion.

I want gratitude to be my certain response to life around me.

I want an even temper – especially on those days I feel a shadow of my younger self.

I want to be so kind, people want to be around me.

And I remember the encouragement He breathed to me the day I prayed I would never forget Him. “Remember Me now so that you won’t forget.  Every choice you make to remember me etches My name deeper in your heart. Read my words instead of someone else’s. Watch my sunset instead of a movie. Sing my praises instead of your own. Every time you choose Me, you etch my name deeper into your heart.  Remember Me now.”  

And I can rest in confidence that without a shadow of a doubt, He will NEVER forget me.

If Reverend G were real, I would tell her thank you for the example and the hope her story shares.

And thank you RJ Thesman for writing this book.  

What attitudes and perspectives do you want to be like breathing when you reach your golden years?  

Read about books 2 and 3 in the series: 
Intermission for Reverand G
Final Grace for Reverand G