Choosing Mercy: An Advent Reflection
Author’s Note (2026): I wrote this reflection in December 2024, not knowing Dave and I would share one more Christmas together before he passed away. Reading it now brings back memories of that season and the ordinary moments that, in hindsight, became precious. An Advent podcast led me to reflect on mercy, justice, and how I was caring for Dave through Alzheimer’s.
A Quiet Advent Morning
I’m going to have to remind my hubby to drink more water throughout the day. He had charley horses off and on through the night. He eats bananas, but that isn’t enough.
Anyhow, I woke at 10:00 a.m. That’s late for me. The fire was out, but the house stayed surprisingly warm. I had gotten up at 7:00 a.m. to give Starfire her medication, then went back to bed for a little me time. It was so peaceful and quiet for a change. I didn’t expect to fall back asleep.
Reflecting on Justice and Mercy
It’s Advent, and I’m listening to the daily podcast, “Face to Face: Advent with Fr. Mike Schmitz” from Ascension. There are 25 episodes. Today’s episode was about justice.
So often we compare what we receive to what someone else receives and think life is unfair. We all want things to be fair. We want justice when we feel we have been wronged.
But then I had to ask myself, Do I really want what I deserve from God?
Honestly, no! I’m begging for mercy because I’m human. I make mistakes. I lose my temper. But I also try to be a good person. Because I am human, I slip up.
Thank you, Lord Jesus. I don’t deserve mercy, but I’m choosing you. You are the source of all mercy.
I truly believe my salvation is connected to how I care for Dave through his Alzheimer’s disease: how I treat him, how I love him, and how I respond when caregiving is hard.
Caring for Dave through Alzheimer’s
I think many of us will one day be judged by how we cared for those who were vulnerable or in need. And there are days I definitely fail in this area.
This Advent, I am reflecting on mercy and recognizing my own need for God’s mercy, too.
If you’re looking for something meaningful during Advent, I recommend “Face to Face: Advent with Fr. Mike Schmitz” from Ascension. It has certainly given me a lot to think about.
Preparing for Christmas in Alaska
I’m also organizing Christmas dinner. I hope to purchase what is needed this Friday when I go to Fairbanks.
I have a dental appointment that day, and I like getting as much taken care of as possible whenever I go to town. It burns a lot of gas, and fuel is costly.
As a child, I remember watching gas station attendants run outside and change the prices on the signs, undercutting one another. I was perplexed and asked my Granny, “Why are those guys running back and forth changing the signs?”
“Gas war,” she exclaimed.
Wars were supposed to involve guns and explosives, right? I was a very literal child, and honestly, I still am.
Gas was cheap then. Not anymore, sadly.
An Ordinary Day of Caregiving
Today is garbage day. I am going to warm up the van, pick up my kids’ garbage at their homes, make a trip to the dump, and stop by the post office.
Of course, I am taking my Dave with me.
By this stage of Alzheimer’s, he no longer gets out of the van. I can reliably leave him there by himself while I run my errands.
Later, if I have the energy, I’ll write about one of Dave’s Alzheimer’s delusions.
Cheers!!
You can find the Ascension App here if you’d like to listen to the podcast: https://ascensionpress.com/
Where I write more about faith and trusting God: