The Awakening
Wandering aimlessly about the house he built, putting his shirt and pants on over his pajamas, shaving with a dry razor, and brushing his teeth with VO5, Al Gonzales was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. His wife, Leona, agonized—not just over his physical and mental condition—but over his spiritual condition. Was it possible for Al to come to Christ before his life was over?
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease without a known cure. The families of Alzheimer’s patients suffer greatly as they watch the diminished mental capacity of the one they love. Those providing care often wonder, “How much do they understand? Are they capable of understanding spiritual truth? Is it possible for them to pray?” Those burdened for a loved one with Alzheimer’s will take heart from this amazing story of Al Gonzales in his sixth year of Alzheimer’s. His wife, Leona, shares this miracle in answer to her prayers.
Al was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. He was unable to find different rooms in the house he built when we were married. He recognized me, but did not recognize his own daughter or anyone else. Al had always loved working in the yard, but now he spent most of the day on the couch flipping through the TV Guide. I continued to pray that he would come to Christ before his earthly life was over.
One day, while Al and I were watching Nicky Cruz as he spoke from the streets of New York, Nicky requested those listening to take the hand of the one next to us. Suddenly, Al was unusually alert with an amazing mental clarity I had not seen for six years. He stretched his hand out to grasp mine. He was so intent on the message—his eyes glued to the TV set, and you could see he was lucid and really listening!
At the end of the message, Nicky Cruz asked us to pray after him. Al prayed aloud … hearing and repeating every phrase of the prayer! I was thrilled as I watched him and not Nicky. I asked him if he had prayed, and he said, “Yes, did you?” I said I had done it a long time ago. He said, “It wouldn’t hurt for you to do it again.” Even though Al’s mind was ravaged with Alzheimer’s, God granted a brief window of mental clarity as we prayed together. Al became a new creation--new life despite a ravaging disease.
What an answer to my prayers! I’m going to see him again and dance together on the streets of gold. Two years later he went into the rest home for 5 years prior to his home going to be with the Lord. I will join him someday for all eternity.
If you have a loved one suffering with Alzheimer’s or another disease of mental impairment, continue to pray for them and with them. Tell them often of God’s love and read the Scriptures. If they are familiar with some of the great hymns or praise songs, they may sing along with you. Often the mind, even with severe disease and loss of mental function, is capable of grasping more than we realize. In eternal glory, there will be no more disease (including Alzheimer’s) or death or mourning or crying or pain … all the former things will all pass away.
Pastor Dave Beckwith with Leona Gonzales
© 2001, Dave Beckwith
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease without a known cure. The families of Alzheimer’s patients suffer greatly as they watch the diminished mental capacity of the one they love. Those providing care often wonder, “How much do they understand? Are they capable of understanding spiritual truth? Is it possible for them to pray?” Those burdened for a loved one with Alzheimer’s will take heart from this amazing story of Al Gonzales in his sixth year of Alzheimer’s. His wife, Leona, shares this miracle in answer to her prayers.
Al was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. He was unable to find different rooms in the house he built when we were married. He recognized me, but did not recognize his own daughter or anyone else. Al had always loved working in the yard, but now he spent most of the day on the couch flipping through the TV Guide. I continued to pray that he would come to Christ before his earthly life was over.
One day, while Al and I were watching Nicky Cruz as he spoke from the streets of New York, Nicky requested those listening to take the hand of the one next to us. Suddenly, Al was unusually alert with an amazing mental clarity I had not seen for six years. He stretched his hand out to grasp mine. He was so intent on the message—his eyes glued to the TV set, and you could see he was lucid and really listening!
At the end of the message, Nicky Cruz asked us to pray after him. Al prayed aloud … hearing and repeating every phrase of the prayer! I was thrilled as I watched him and not Nicky. I asked him if he had prayed, and he said, “Yes, did you?” I said I had done it a long time ago. He said, “It wouldn’t hurt for you to do it again.” Even though Al’s mind was ravaged with Alzheimer’s, God granted a brief window of mental clarity as we prayed together. Al became a new creation--new life despite a ravaging disease.
What an answer to my prayers! I’m going to see him again and dance together on the streets of gold. Two years later he went into the rest home for 5 years prior to his home going to be with the Lord. I will join him someday for all eternity.
If you have a loved one suffering with Alzheimer’s or another disease of mental impairment, continue to pray for them and with them. Tell them often of God’s love and read the Scriptures. If they are familiar with some of the great hymns or praise songs, they may sing along with you. Often the mind, even with severe disease and loss of mental function, is capable of grasping more than we realize. In eternal glory, there will be no more disease (including Alzheimer’s) or death or mourning or crying or pain … all the former things will all pass away.
Pastor Dave Beckwith with Leona Gonzales
© 2001, Dave Beckwith
