The old man slouched in his wheelchair, eyes vacant, staring at nothing.

For the past few years, Alzheimer’s had slowly stolen his memory, erasing his wife, his children, his grandchildren — even his ability to care for himself — from his life.

Now he lived in a nursing home. The empty husk of who he once was drifted in a murky combination of past and present, only vaguely aware of what he had lost.

Then, one day, a nurse placed a pair of headphones over his ears. She pressed a button and music played. A tune filled him.

His eyes widened in surprise. His hands moved, keeping time. His feet tapped to a beat he had first heard many years ago when he was a young man.

“Do you know the song?” his nurse asked.

He nodded, telling her about the band, the singer, and the memories the music had unlocked. As long as the song played, he stayed alert and aware.

Music holds a special power. Even when most of our memories have succumbed to age and illness, a song can bring them back to us. That’s why it is so important to fill our music-memories with songs of Jesus and His grace. With such songs in our hearts, we will never forget the eternal love of God.