Good is such an interesting word. When I was in grade nine, I had a friend who summed up my character with that word. It made me uncomfortable. She thought I was good in every sense--I was a good girl, I did "good" in school, I was good to others. Possibly the good-ness she saw in me was in contrast to her rebellion or bad girl tendencies (which maybe only looked rebellious and bad in contrast to how I behaved because of what she attributed to my "religious" beliefs). In Mark 10, Jesus is approached by a rich man who calls him, "Good Teacher." Jesus challenges him, questioning him for calling him "good" as he reminds the man that only God is good. Spoiler alert: Jesus=God, therefore=good. I think we are uncomfortable being called good because we recognize we fall so short of the goodness of Jesus. However, God does call creation good, reserving a "very good" for humans. To reconcile all this, I conclude that any goodness in people is from God and a result of bearing his image. When Doug tells me that I am good, it does make me smile. If that's the affirmation he's able to express, I'll take it. Maybe I should work on coming up with different responses rather than asking someone whose mind is betraying him to come up with different ways to express that he likes me, is comfortable around me, feels safe with me. Because that's how I feel when he tells me I am good. And it reminds me to creatively affirm others while, and as, I am able. Doug is a GOOD blessing and so are you!
Another beautiful post in your journey. Reminded me of the chorus one that I learned when I was first a Christian at 22 years old. Was a simple one and you probably know it. God is so good. God is so good. God is so good. He is good to me. I love him so I love him, so God is so good to me. I can certainly relate to your post in that I was in to visit Warren a few days ago and he is losing his language now and his dementia is now from first no listening at about 1617 years. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You’re so blessed to still have Doug with you and be able to still give each other. Hugs and kisses and have conversations although they do get more difficult. Thank you again for sharing your heart.
Thank you, Joanne. There are hard days. I've had a few this week. And moments of agony. But now I’m singing that old chorus in my head. ❤️ A nice way to start the day - so, thank you.
I read this, this AM…”He is good! His faithful love endures forever!”❤️
Thank you, Sherri! A truth to cling to for the day and for the future. ❤️
Good is such an interesting word. When I was in grade nine, I had a friend who summed up my character with that word. It made me uncomfortable. She thought I was good in every sense--I was a good girl, I did "good" in school, I was good to others. Possibly the good-ness she saw in me was in contrast to her rebellion or bad girl tendencies (which maybe only looked rebellious and bad in contrast to how I behaved because of what she attributed to my "religious" beliefs). In Mark 10, Jesus is approached by a rich man who calls him, "Good Teacher." Jesus challenges him, questioning him for calling him "good" as he reminds the man that only God is good. Spoiler alert: Jesus=God, therefore=good. I think we are uncomfortable being called good because we recognize we fall so short of the goodness of Jesus. However, God does call creation good, reserving a "very good" for humans. To reconcile all this, I conclude that any goodness in people is from God and a result of bearing his image. When Doug tells me that I am good, it does make me smile. If that's the affirmation he's able to express, I'll take it. Maybe I should work on coming up with different responses rather than asking someone whose mind is betraying him to come up with different ways to express that he likes me, is comfortable around me, feels safe with me. Because that's how I feel when he tells me I am good. And it reminds me to creatively affirm others while, and as, I am able. Doug is a GOOD blessing and so are you!
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“Good” is bedrock in Margie’s declining vocabulary. It can communicate worlds. Thank you for spelling it out this way.
Another beautiful post in your journey. Reminded me of the chorus one that I learned when I was first a Christian at 22 years old. Was a simple one and you probably know it. God is so good. God is so good. God is so good. He is good to me. I love him so I love him, so God is so good to me. I can certainly relate to your post in that I was in to visit Warren a few days ago and he is losing his language now and his dementia is now from first no listening at about 1617 years. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You’re so blessed to still have Doug with you and be able to still give each other. Hugs and kisses and have conversations although they do get more difficult. Thank you again for sharing your heart.
Thank you, Joanne. There are hard days. I've had a few this week. And moments of agony. But now I’m singing that old chorus in my head. ❤️ A nice way to start the day - so, thank you.