Forget Me Not: Loving God's Aging Children

by Elisabeth Elliot

What do we do when those we love are no longer able to care for themselves? How are we to face the brokenness and suffering of those to whom we once looked for strength? Elisabeth Elliot wrestled with these difficult questions while watching the steady erosion of her mother's memory - an erosion that seemed to devour every strong and noble attribute that made her mother who she was. This book contains insights Elisabeth gained as she struggled to find perspective. Elisabeth Elliot is one of the most influential Christian women of our time. For a half century, her best selling books, timeless teachings and courageous faith have influenced believers and seekers of Jesus Christ throughout the world. She uses her experiences as a daughter, wife, mother, widow, and missionary to bring the message of Christ to countless women and men around the world. She is the best-selling author of more than twenty books including Passion and Purity, No Graven Image, Be Still My Soul, The Path of Lonel

1 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

From the Author's Web Site: My parents were missionaries in Belgium where I was born. When I was a few months old, we came to the U.S. and lived in Germantown, not far from Philadelphia, where my father became an editor of the Sunday School Times. Some of my contemporaries may remember the publication which was used by hundreds of churches for their weekly unified Sunday School teaching materials.

Our family continued to live in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey until I left home to attend Wheaton College. By that time, the family had increased to four brothers and one sister. My studies in classical Greek would one day enable me to work in the area of unwritten languages to develop a form of writing.

A year after I went to Ecuador, Jim Elliot, whom I had met at Wheaton, also entered tribal areas with the Quichua Indians. In nineteen fifty three we were married in the city of Quito and continued our work together. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas were in that category -- a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. After a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death.

Our daughter Valerie was 10 months old when Jim was killed. I continued working with the Quichua Indians when, through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for one year. They were the key to my going in to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I remained there for two years.

After having worked for two years with the Aucas, I returned to the Quichua work and remained there until 1963 when Valerie and I returned to the U.S.

Since then, my life has been one of writing and speaking. It also included, in 1969, a marriage to Addison Leitch, professor of theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts. He died in 1973. After his death I had two lodgers in my home. One of them married my daughter, the other one, Lars Gren, married me. Since then we have worked together.

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a tiny booklet and I wouldn’t have added it to Goodreads if Elisabeth Elliot had not described exactly what I am going through with my mother who is in memory care. These conversations are almost word for word the ones I have with my mother. Eventually Elisabeth too faced dementia and I have to admit while part of me is deeply saddened for my mother another part is terrified of my own future. What then when I cannot hold on to Christ? He will hold me fast.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Cindy, for marking this as read. I’d like to reread it and add more scripture references. Elisabeth had it hidden in her heart and I want to find it. 😉 Such reminders for our loved ones and for us.

[Jessica Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super short read that really doesn’t count as a book other than I’ve looked for a book on this subject and I feel like the eleven points she makes over three pages say more than a full length book could. A precious reminder about the value and the suffering of the elderly believers and how precious they are to the Lord.
If you google the title the EE foundation has a free pdf scan of the book you can read. It’s like a ten minute or under read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a 10-minute read and free in PDF on the author’s website. But it’s a good 10 minutes—full of good reminders about caring for the aged and God’s perspective on it all.

[Emily Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite short, but a beautiful reading about having an aging parent with degenerative illness, and the hope and promise that we have in Christ. Available to read for free online.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small, but very comforting pamphlet for anyone dealing with aging or sick relatives, full of gospel truth.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes 30 min. or less to read.