Cherishing Love

Bible Reading: Psalm 119:169-176
Author: Dorothy O'Neill (South Australia, Australia)
Thursday 18 June 2026 © The Upper Room.
I don’t know how Ruby does it. 

Fifty-five years after she and Ted were married, Ted is now lost in dementia. 

Hopelessly confused about what day it is and where he is, Ted hardly knows any of their friends anymore. His behaviour is more and more problematic: he wanders off from their home on imaginary errands; he shouts at Ruby, sometimes even physically struggling with her. 

Yet, day in, and day out, Ruby lovingly and patiently cares for him. She accompanies him everywhere, explaining his condition to those who don’t understand. Her actions are sincere; Ruby cherishes Ted. Ruby still sees, hidden behind the fog of dementia, the love of her life.

Isn’t this how God loves us? Sometimes our minds are focused anywhere but on our loving Creator. At times our behaviour is so absurd that we can’t even say afterwards why we did what we did. We wander like lost sheep. 

Yet none of it deters God; in fact, he still cherishes us. I don’t know how God does it, but whenever I see Ruby, I know where she gets it from.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you understand our weakness. When we get lost, bring our minds back to your love. Amen
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I am so thrilled and excited about the BSL version of Deaf Missions Daily Devotions. I have their booklet and been using them for nearly a year. I have good command of English but still struggle with the concept of the context at times. What a difference it has made just watching someone signing the passage so clearly and of superior quality! I notice the USA are far more advanced with access to the Gospel in ASL but now you have made it possible for us. So many thanks for this! May it go from strength to strength. JJ