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On the Anniversary of My Father's Death
- July 27, 2005
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." John 10:28 (NIV)
Today is the 34th anniversary of my father's death. I was only a teenager and still in college when I received that terrible call telling of his heart attack. His health had been poor for years, but it was still a shock. I was packing for a spring choir tour and instead rushed home for the funeral. It was as if the rug was pulled from underneath my feet. My world rolled and teetered. Somehow God sustained me.
Dad came to the Lord late in life, only after severe health problems and crushing disappointments in his personal life. But he turned in repentance to the Lord when a chaplain visited him during one of his frequent hospital visits. The above Scripture reassures me that Dad is safely in heaven.
I often think about how much Dad has missed: two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and now his first great-great grandchild. But I also remember the sound of his voice during our last visit. He sounded exhausted and hopeless; as if he knew his body could not continue much longer.
Today I thank God for my father's life, in all its imperfections and strengths. Someday we will be together forever, without time restraints. I look forward to telling him all that has happened since his death. Somehow, I know I will remember every detail.
Lord Jesus, Thank you that it is never too late to turn to you and ask for forgiveness.
Contributed by Candace Simar. Candace is a free lance writer from Pequot Lakes, MN. Her work has appeared in Dust & Fire, Lake Country Journal, Talking Stick, Talking 7th Street Blues, Country Echo, and Home Health Care Nurse Journal.
- July 27, 2005
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." John 10:28 (NIV)
Today is the 34th anniversary of my father's death. I was only a teenager and still in college when I received that terrible call telling of his heart attack. His health had been poor for years, but it was still a shock. I was packing for a spring choir tour and instead rushed home for the funeral. It was as if the rug was pulled from underneath my feet. My world rolled and teetered. Somehow God sustained me.
Dad came to the Lord late in life, only after severe health problems and crushing disappointments in his personal life. But he turned in repentance to the Lord when a chaplain visited him during one of his frequent hospital visits. The above Scripture reassures me that Dad is safely in heaven.
I often think about how much Dad has missed: two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and now his first great-great grandchild. But I also remember the sound of his voice during our last visit. He sounded exhausted and hopeless; as if he knew his body could not continue much longer.
Today I thank God for my father's life, in all its imperfections and strengths. Someday we will be together forever, without time restraints. I look forward to telling him all that has happened since his death. Somehow, I know I will remember every detail.
Lord Jesus, Thank you that it is never too late to turn to you and ask for forgiveness.
Contributed by Candace Simar. Candace is a free lance writer from Pequot Lakes, MN. Her work has appeared in Dust & Fire, Lake Country Journal, Talking Stick, Talking 7th Street Blues, Country Echo, and Home Health Care Nurse Journal.
