The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases

__shared by Dawn Lubker, Director of Ministries

In my search to find information and comforting thoughts for both me and my mother, who has dementia, I ran across this devotion. (the internet can be used for good) I would like to share this thought as it’s a good reminder for all of us that God’s love is not dependent on who we are at any particular point in our lives. His love is steady, constantly renewing. His faithfulness and mercy are ever present whether we can acknowledge it or not. I pray my mom can catch glimpses of God’s faithfulness in her life. I think I’ll take some time to ponder the same thing in my life. If you are caring for a loved one with memory loss, I pray God’s peace and strength is abundant in your life. i

The Steady Lamp: Finding Hope and Peace in the Midst of Memory Loss: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Opening Reflection: Caring for someone with dementia is a journey through shifting sands. We watch as familiar paths disappear and new, confusing landscapes emerge. The person we knew so well is still there, yet often hard to reach. It’s natural to feel grief, exhaustion, and sometimes even frustration. Our hearts ache for the past and worry about the future. In these challenging moments, we need an anchor—something steady when everything around us feels uncertain.

The Message:Dementia attacks memory, the very thing that helps us define who we are and who others are to us. But there is a beautiful, profound truth that this disease cannot touch: God’s love. The scripture in Lamentations reminds us that God’s steadfast love never ceases. It doesn’t depend on our loved one’s ability to remember names, dates, or even us. It doesn’t depend on our own strength or patience on a particularly hard day. His mercy is new every morning. Think of God’s love like a steady lamp in a darkening room. Even as the shadows lengthen and familiar furniture becomes hazy, the lamp remains fixed, casting a constant, reliable light. Our role as caregivers is to be reflections of that lamp. We offer consistent love, even when it’s not recognized or returned in the way we hope. We show patience when questions are repeated for the twentieth time. We bring comfort through touch, music, and quiet presence, speaking the language of the heart when words fail. We are not alone in this ministry of care. God is with us, sustaining our strength and renewing our patience each day. He sees our effort, our pain, and our dedication, and He is faithful.

Discussion Points

• What is one moment from this past week where you felt God’s strength help you get through a difficult moment?
• How has this journey challenged your understanding of love and patience?
• In what ways can we better support each other as a family in caring for our loved one?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, We come to You today with tired bodies and aching hearts. We thank You for our loved one, a precious gift You have entrusted to our care. We ask for Your strength to face the challenges of this disease. When we feel lost in the confusion, remind us that You are the anchor. When our patience wears thin, fill us with Your endless mercy. Help us to be Your hands and feet, showing unconditional love even when we are weary. Thank you that Your love never fails and Your mercies are new every morning. Guide us, sustain us, and grant us peace. In Your holy name, Amen.