What He Still Knows

It was roughly a year ago that I wrote about a visit to Maryland in which I was able to spend time with my brother Sam, and his wife Mary Gayle. I’ve reflected often on that time, and the tenderness and beauty it invited. I journaled then that Sam’s cognitive abilities were under assault. And indeed, this battle continues.

Twenty Years Ago…

Last October…

At the end of July, Sam turned 82. And as a family we celebrated from afar. We passed along words of gratitude, encouragement and celebration. And what I know is that Mary Gayle stewarded those words well as she communicated them to her husband of 47 years.

In light of Sam’s birthday, our family received an update from Sam and Mary Gayle’s daughter, Liz. Here is a glimpse at what she wrote about her dad…

“He loves to be near her (Mary Gayle) and loves everything she does for him (these are countless things). He also finds great comfort in recognizing himself as God’s beloved. His condition has robbed him of so much of what he knows, but he still knows love.”

“… he still knows love.”

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)

Nearly every earthly possession is within the reach of the “thief”, but never the love of our Father. And His generous gift overflows from His followers into the lives of those around them. Without regard to circumstance.

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, ESV)

Yes, love is warm and engaging and beautiful and tender, but make no mistake, true love is also enduring. It’s resilient. It’s gritty. It’s tough.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7, ESV)

Beloved, is who we are.

Embraced by love, is what we know.

The circumstances of a broken world can rob us of many things. From the self-sufficient, it can require childlike care. From the financially comfortable, it can extinguish security. From the brilliant, it can erode the mind.

“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)

Love. Never. Ends.

Not for Sam. Not for Mary Gayle.

Not for you and me.

Beloved, and anchored in love.

The greatest of these…

“He also finds great comfort in recognizing himself as God’s beloved. His condition has robbed him of so much of what he knows, but he still knows love.”

I’m still learning from my big brother. Thank you, Sam.