Jesus is always with us no matter where we are in life.

In my ministry, I have visited many people in various stages of dementia. Sometimes as I am talking with these dear souls, I don’t know where they are. I know where they are physically, but I don’t know where they are in their minds. Some may be back on the farm where they grew up. Some are in their teens reliving teenage memories. Some are still with their spouse who has been gone for years. Some are in happy places. Some are in dark, scary places. I try to go to where they are in their minds, but I can’t.

A comfort for those with dementia

When I minister to these Christians, I often read portions of Psalm 139. Sometimes their family members are there with them, and I make sure to assure the loved ones that wherever the person with dementia is in his or her mind, the Lord is there.

I read the following words from Psalm 139 recently to a member who has dementia:

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast. (vv. 7-10)

How sweet are those words “you are there . . . you are there . . . even there.”

Wherever Christians with dementia are at any given moment in their minds, we can be assured that the Lord is there with them. Whether it’s in the past, present, or future; whether it’s in a happy place or dark place, the Lord is there. He is there with them in their own little “place.” How comforting this truth is to both Christians who have dementia and their loved ones.

A comfort for all Christians

But this comfort is not just for Christians who have dementia. This comforting truth is for us all. Isn’t it wonderful that we never have to ask our Lord God, “Where are you, Lord?” Where is the Lord? We can always answer, “You are there”—wherever we are at any given moment physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.

Where are you, Lord God my Savior?

You are there in my pain.

You are there in my joy.

You are there in the delivery room with me.

You are there in the nursing home with me.

You are there in my frustration.

You are there in my past, in my present, in my future.

You are there in my guilt, in my shame, in my sorrow, in my utter failure to love you and others.

You are there in my desperate cries for mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

You are there because you were there on that cross, sweating, bleeding, dying for me. You are there because you were there in my place. You are there because you were there saving me from my sins.

Yes, because Jesus our God was there on that cross and because he rose victoriously from the dead, we are fully assured that wherever we are in this life . . . he is there.

Illustration by Lori Ehlke

Author: James Krueger
Volume 112, Number 03
Issue: March 2025