I’m writing today at A Deeper Family, continuing a series on my journey
with my mom through dementia.
Our weekly lunch last week was a tough one for me,
and I tried to write it out as the psalmists did.
It’s an interesting exercise — I encourage you to try it.
A reflection on Psalm 56
“Be merciful to me, my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long. . .”
I watch, helpless and adrift.
The enemies are winning, O God,
the wormholes are growing.
The past is but a whisper,
the present, lost in the whirlwind,
those swirling terrors of fear and confusion.
Where are you, O Lord?
Where are you?
Come and rescue us, return to us the days
the locusts have eaten,
the swarming hordes
or forgetfulness,
devouring her memories,
erasing her story.
I watch and I weep, tears my companion day and night.
They sit, just behind my eyes, waiting to ambush me,
to gut me, knock me to my knees.
And she slips away, Lord.
Every single day,
she slips away.
Piece by piece, slice by slice, word by word.
Please join me at A Deeper Family to read the rest of this post. . .
Your Mom is beautiful and so very lucky to have you for her daughter. I loved this method of enjoying the Psalms. I hope and pray that your Mom is one of the ones that enjoys only wonder and happiness on this awful journey that they call Alzhemiers.
Thank you so much for you generous words, Pam and I’m glad you enjoyed this way of praying the psalms. Thank you so much for stopping by and letting me know.
You always touch my heart, Diana. This psalm is especially poignant. I add my prayer to Pam’s above. May God comfort you with his peace and even grace you with joy in the journey.
Thank you, Nancy – for your kind words and for your prayers.
have loved the song from first hearing
my heart fills and overflows when I read your journey
so much of her is lost, yet still found in Him, by Him
may He continue to grant you the peace you seek
Thanks for these good words – both here and there.
Such a long road of loss for you Diana. Maybe by now your dear mother is at rest within herself?? She always looks so lovely. Thank you for sharing Psalm 56 making it close to your heart.
She’s getting there, Gwen. And yes, she is quite beautiful still – and always.
beautifully and honestly written. you remind and encourage me to write my own psalm. Thank you for this.
psalm writing – and reading – is a rich resource when things get dicey. And when things are swell, too. :>)