Before I forget, a prayer regarding memory loss and turning 40

By Cindy Jury

Before I forget, a prayer regarding memory loss and turning 40

Hi, Lord, it’s me. I think I need your help. I couldn’t find my keys the other day, and I knew I was in trouble when my husband told me to check the refrigerator. I thank you for helping me make it to my 40th year, but why does my memory feel like I am in a horse race where I am now neck and neck with my mother? Remember how I used to get so frustrated with her for forgetting things? Now I understand how she must have felt. I thank you for my mom and her wisdom. I thank you for how she shared one of your scriptures with me about how you can renew our minds daily. But she did go on to comically observe that the way her mind has been working, she wasn’t sure you’d been around that area lately. Thank you, Lord, for the laughter of that moment and your sense of humor. It was just too bad that my mom and I were laughing so hard that we both temporarily forgot what we were laughing about.

God, I thank you for that new purchase I found today. But I’m pretty sure I need your guidance, as I could not take it home. As you know, I opened up my checkbook only to find that I was out of checks. That didn’t matter much, as I had accidentally left my driver’s license in my other purse, and my debit card is canceled because I lost it. And God, what is so sad is that you know that this is all true.

Thank you, Lord, for the information that I came across as I studied memory loss. It appears that there are ways to grow new nerve cells, since as we age, we lose some of the old ones. The way I understand it is that some of the possibilities include physical exercise, good nutrition, adding and subtracting in our minds, crossword puzzles, reading, as well as learning to handle stress in a healthy way. I also feel that what I sometimes blame on memory loss is simply being too busy and that I can choose to spend the time that you have given me in better ways. Hey, God! The nutrition and exercise part reminds me of that scripture that tells us to take care of God’s temple –– our bodies. And what better way to renew our minds than to read the Bible. I also know, that this prayer is a big stress-reliever for me.