SA21 - How Jehovah Answers Our Prayers

Joanne sat by her mother's side, holding her frail hand in hers. The room was filled with the scent of old books and memories that were both fond yet faded. Her mother, Elaine, had been diagnosed with dementia only a few short months ago, and each passing day brought new challenges.

As the sun rose over the horizon, Joanne began her daily routine of caring for her mother. Today, however, was different. Elaine was finding it particularly difficult to find solid footing, which Joanne noticed as soon as she entered the room. Elaine looked at her with confusion in her eyes, mistaking her for a stranger. In a sudden surge of fear and unable to recognize her own daughter, Elaine waited for Joanne to retrieve something from her car and then, quickly secured the front door with the security chain and one-way deadbolt.

Locked out, Joanne's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to coax her mother to open the door. She pleaded with her mother Elaine, speaking softly and reassuringly, hoping to break through the fog of confusion. However, despite her best efforts, an entire hour passed without success. Finally, with a heavy heart and a sense of defeat, Joanne grudgingly made the difficult decision to call for assistance.

As she stood on her front porch waiting for Brother Walker to arrive, with curious neighbors glancing over as they walked by, Joanne couldn't help but feel embarrassed and overwhelmed. It was a painful realization that her mother's condition had reached a point where she needed outside intervention to ensure her safety. She wondered how she could handle the situation on her own without involving too many others in her family's personal struggles.

When Brother Walker arrived, being the go-to fix-it man, he handled the situation with utmost care and understanding. He assured Joanne that she wasn't alone in this journey and that he was there to help. Together, they gently broke into the house, ensuring Elaine's safety. While Joanne was grateful for their assistance, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—relief, embarrassment, and a deep sense of sadness at the progression of her mother's illness.

Joanne's heart broke as she pleaded with her mother, trying to reassure her that she was indeed her daughter. Eventually, Elaine's confusion subsided, and she calmed down, but the incident left Joanne shaken and saddened. It was painful to see her mother's mind slip away, making her feel like a stranger in her childhood home.

Later that day, as Joanne was preparing lunch, Elaine suddenly threw a tantrum, tossing items around the room. She didn't recognize Joanne and was overwhelmed with fear, believing that a stranger was trying to harm her. Joanne did her best to calm her mother down, gently holding her and speaking soothing words until the storm of confusion and anger passed.

In that moment, Joanne felt an overwhelming wave of emotions crash down on her. She sat on the floor, tears streaming down her face, as she mourned the loss of the mother she once knew. The woman who had been her pillar of strength, her source of advice and encouragement, was now fading away. It was a heart-wrenching reality to accept.

Despite the challenging experience, Joanne knew that she needed to be strong and resilient for her mother's sake. She understood that it was essential to seek help, when necessary, even if it meant asking for assistance from unexpected sources. From that moment on, she resolved to face the challenges of caring for her mother with renewed determination, accepting that there would be tough moments but believing that with support from Jehovah, they would find a way through.

Joanne lingered in prayer, talking to Jehovah about everything, and one day the daily text focused on Philippians 4:13. As she read, it became clear that just as Jehovah did for the apostle Paul, He would give them the power they needed to endure their trials. In the days that followed, Joanne experienced both good days and bad days with her mother, but there were far more good moments than sad ones. She simply focused on the fact, as Paul said in the preceding verses 11, 12, that no matter where he was, Jehovah got him through it. For the most part, Joanne realized that the moments of clarity when they could share a laugh, or a fond memory far exceeded those filled with confusion and frustration. Despite the rollercoaster of emotions, Joanne held on to her faith, relying on Jehovah for endurance.

She found solace in prayer and strength in knowing that she wasn't alone in this journey. Her faith reminded her that she had the power to endure and succeed, no matter how difficult the path might be. Joanne leaned on the support of her friends and family, who were more than willing to provide a helping hand and a listening ear when needed.

As time passed, Joanne learned to cherish the moments of clarity and love that she still shared with her mother. She found joy in the little things, like a smile or a fleeting moment of recognition. With these little boosts, she continued to care for her mother with unwavering love and dedication. 

Though the road was tough and unpredictable, Joanne pressed on, knowing that she was not alone. She had the strength to endure through the one who gave her power – Jehovah. And in this journey of caring for her mother with dementia, she learned that love transcends memory, and with Jehovah's guidance as the glue, the bond between a mother and daughter could weather even the harshest storms of life.

Do you have a comment that did not get mentioned during the Watchtower study? What encouraging observations would you like to point out? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.