"Today you will be with me in paradise"
"Do not tarry, O my God." I wrote those words the morning of April 16. God answered my father's prayer that very day. Dad died shortly after 4 pm, only an hour after his pastor finished a worship service called Commendation of the Dying. Following many years of fighting to live, Dad finally felt free to go. Mom and all his children were with him as he took his final breaths and went to paradise.
Prayer
About a year ago, I wanted to read the Bible for Dad. As a life-long Lutheran, I thought he would enjoy Psalm 46, which was Martin Luther's favorite psalm and the source of his hymn "A Mighty Fortress." As I turned to Psalm 46 and told Dad what he was about to hear, he asked me to read Psalm 40 instead. Ever since, I read Psalm 40 to him, since he let me know how much he likes it.
Yesterday, I read Psalm 40 again, and the ending really tugged at my heartstrings:
Though I am poor and afflicted,
The Lord will have regard for me.
You are my helper and deliverer;
Do not tarry, O my God.
Dad
My father stopped eating and drinking last Monday. Without medication, he would be in a great deal of pain, but that seems to be controlled. This morning he developed another fever, so there's an infection somewhere. Despite it all, he still struggles to live. My brother flew in yesterday, so all of his children are now here.
It's hard to accept that someone with such a kind heart will eventually lose this fight through heart failure. But he is going to a wonderful heaven that is free from pain and suffering. Please keep him and my mother in your prayers.
Now and Soon
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
I need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Generation Gap
Sitting at breakfast recently, I found myself repeating the same instructions that I've been saying for what seems like years:
"Please use your knife, not your fingers."
"You are not his parent. It's not your job."
"Keep your mouth closed while you eat."
"Your voice is too loud."
etc. etc. etc.
I finally announced, "I feel like a broken record!"
The response?
"What's that?"
Photo on our Frig
About a year ago, David found the file with this photo, and he manipulated it to make it "artsy." The scene is the fence on the perimeter of the orphanage in the Ukraine. Even at age 6, he is carrying his belongings with him in a bag. Just last week, at age 16, he walked around our house wearing a backpack.
