Today would have been my dad's 82nd birthday. He died just over 3 years ago on July 15, 2015. As I have been thinking about him today, I remember how thankful I was (and still am) to God for how He worked in the midst of that terribly difficult time. About a week after the funeral, I made a post to my personal social media account. At that time, I did not have this blog. Therefore, today I want to re-post what I said here.
I want to re-post because this blog has many readers, especially from my ministry website, who never got to read what I posted more than 3 years ago. In addition, I have new friends who didn't get to read it either. Posting here will put it out there for many years to come. So, here it is.
This post is to tell you that if you have given your life to Christ, God is ALWAYS there for you.This is especially true in the midst of our trials. It may be difficult to see sometimes, but if you look closely, you can find Him. This is what I did in the midst of my trial with my dad dying, and I saw God. Here is what God did.
In the months before dad died, 3 amazing things happened:
1. After many years away, the year before my dad died, my brother and his family were able to move back to the city where my parents lived to help them. They were able to take care of many things for them over that year, including remodeling the house. It also gave my dad a chance to spend time with my brother, his wife, and his sons.
2. In March, 4 months before dad died, Mom had knee replacement surgery. Unfortunately, she had complications that kept her in the hospital for 38 days. However, dad was there every day to help her through it all. Then, he was there to help her when she got home, and to take her to her rehab appointments.
3. Two weeks before dad passed away, mom was able to start driving again.
Now, here is what God did right before he died:
1. AMAZINGLY, my wife and I, and our youngest daughter had been up to visit my parents for the 4th of July from June 29-July 6. We had a GREAT week of fun with mom and dad. Just before heading to the airport to leave, I felt God very strongly prompting me to get a few good pictures of dad, so I did that.
2. Four days after we returned from vacation, dad became sick. Five days after that, he died.
3. His death was quick, and relatively painless. He is now resting in the arms of the Lord.
4. The month before he died, my younger daughter had moved back home temporarily to spend more time building her ministry. This being the case, she was able to travel with us for our vacation to visit them, and later for his funeral.
5. Months before dad died, my older daughter had made plans to come home and visit us. This happened to fall two days after my dad died, so she was also able to travel with us to the funeral.
6. My wife, as a teacher, was off for the summer. Therefore, she was free to be gone as long as necessary.
I am SO thankful for what God did in the midst of this, and honestly for all of 2015. It was one of the worst years of my life (I speak of this in my blog post from 3-3-18.). God got me through it all, and I don't know how I would have gotten through without Him. Whatever trial or trials you are facing, He will get you through as well. Look for Him in the midst. Look for the blessings. He is there: ALWAYS!
If you have not given your life to the Lord, you can do so here.
I want to re-post because this blog has many readers, especially from my ministry website, who never got to read what I posted more than 3 years ago. In addition, I have new friends who didn't get to read it either. Posting here will put it out there for many years to come. So, here it is.
This post is to tell you that if you have given your life to Christ, God is ALWAYS there for you.This is especially true in the midst of our trials. It may be difficult to see sometimes, but if you look closely, you can find Him. This is what I did in the midst of my trial with my dad dying, and I saw God. Here is what God did.
In the months before dad died, 3 amazing things happened:
1. After many years away, the year before my dad died, my brother and his family were able to move back to the city where my parents lived to help them. They were able to take care of many things for them over that year, including remodeling the house. It also gave my dad a chance to spend time with my brother, his wife, and his sons.
2. In March, 4 months before dad died, Mom had knee replacement surgery. Unfortunately, she had complications that kept her in the hospital for 38 days. However, dad was there every day to help her through it all. Then, he was there to help her when she got home, and to take her to her rehab appointments.
3. Two weeks before dad passed away, mom was able to start driving again.
Now, here is what God did right before he died:
1. AMAZINGLY, my wife and I, and our youngest daughter had been up to visit my parents for the 4th of July from June 29-July 6. We had a GREAT week of fun with mom and dad. Just before heading to the airport to leave, I felt God very strongly prompting me to get a few good pictures of dad, so I did that.
2. Four days after we returned from vacation, dad became sick. Five days after that, he died.
3. His death was quick, and relatively painless. He is now resting in the arms of the Lord.
4. The month before he died, my younger daughter had moved back home temporarily to spend more time building her ministry. This being the case, she was able to travel with us for our vacation to visit them, and later for his funeral.
5. Months before dad died, my older daughter had made plans to come home and visit us. This happened to fall two days after my dad died, so she was also able to travel with us to the funeral.
6. My wife, as a teacher, was off for the summer. Therefore, she was free to be gone as long as necessary.
I am SO thankful for what God did in the midst of this, and honestly for all of 2015. It was one of the worst years of my life (I speak of this in my blog post from 3-3-18.). God got me through it all, and I don't know how I would have gotten through without Him. Whatever trial or trials you are facing, He will get you through as well. Look for Him in the midst. Look for the blessings. He is there: ALWAYS!
If you have not given your life to the Lord, you can do so here.
Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSteveve please pray for me with my hand my sister Chris just had another retina surgery in her other eye!
DeleteMy dad died when I was eleven I had an argument with him about three months before and I said I hope you die!well I felt terrible when he did and that haunted me for a long time after he died I drifted away from God really got involved with drugs and alcohol for most of my life God never left me he saved me from death several times about a year and a half ago I met a lady at the flee mkt she had a booth that said come and pray we talked she was ment to be there that day I accepted jesus I started going to christ church I was baptized by jessey my life is awesome I am so grateful
ReplyDeleteAwesome that you have given your life to Christ, and that He has changed you and set you free! Glad that you have joined us for weekly prayer, fellowship, and Bible Study.
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