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Since my post in
February, my Dad passed away after a lengthy battle with colon cancer. He died peacefully in early March on a Sunday
night with his wife and two daughters by his side.
Dad’s funeral memorialized
his service to his country and his community.
He was a retired US Naval officer (pilot) and a retired high school math
teacher. He volunteered with several
local charities and encouraged many in his day to day activities.
I shared some personal memories
during his service including the following:
I am the firstborn of two daughters. Dad made a great choice…we’re both excellent
cooks!
Our Dad was the kind of guy who went out of
his way to play with us, read to us, and just act“silly” with us. We watched Mighty Mouse together, marched
around the living room to“Sing Along with Mitch”, and never missed an
episode of Lassie on Sunday nights.
Dad taught us to throw a ball, ride a bike,
make a fort and drive a car. His
greatest gift to us was his time. He always DID things with us.
Later on when we were teenagers – he had
immense patience. These were the days of hang-ten T-shirts, sun-in hair lightener,
and camera flash-cubes. The “70’s”
brought platform shoes, bell-bottoms, and
mini-skirts, though I was not allowed to wear them. We enjoyed an adventurous life as kids of a
naval officer, and learned to make friends easily.
Dad gave us great advice, though we didn’t
always heed it. He always expressed his
love for us and helped to foster our healthy
sense of self-worth and self-esteem.
He was delighted to welcome into this world
his only grandson and has always enjoyed their time together. He was a “hands on” kind of Grandpa – often
playing outside, or helping him with a project, reading a book together,
or just goofing around.
Dad lived a full life and enjoyed traveling
while in the Navy, helping his students at Orange Park High grasp otherwise difficult math
concepts, and volunteered with various local organizations when retired.
Over the years our relationship
went through a metamorphosis of sorts. I put a strain on it when
I left home in the early 1970’s to marry my first husband. I was 17 years old and he was 21. It ended in
divorce four years later. Dad was never
pleased with my decision, but he and my mother supported me nonetheless. Later on he and I patched up the rift. After my marriage to my current husband,
things improved greatly between us. My husband and I recently celebrated 32
years of marriage this past January. Dad
always loved him and said he could not have chosen a better son-in-law himself.
A few years ago, while walking his two little dogs in their neighborhood, we began a conversation centered on his childhood and going to church. His parents belonged to a certain denomination and had a falling-out with their church, which caused them to leave. He never attended church again until he married my mom. He was never a particularly religious person and was not involved in a local church.
Right then and there I
shared my faith journey with him and told him, “Dad, it’s not about religion, or denomination, or even a one-time
experience… it’s about a relationship with The Living God, your Creator, the
lover of your soul.”
I related that story to
the crowd at his funeral and asked those in attendance to let me know if they
wanted to know more about have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I had
given my life and heart to Jesus at the age of 33. I wanted to honor God in that moment by
extending an invitation to the many family and friends at his service.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some
count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Eleventh-hour conversions
are not uncommon. You hear them on
the battle field or perhaps after a horrific accident. In Luke 23:39-43 our Lord and two criminals had been nailed to their
crosses. Jesus welcomed a repentant
sinner into heaven right before he died. One of the thieves, recognizing that he was a sinner – rightly condemned
for his crimes, rebuked the other thief and proclaimed Jesus’ innocence. When he asked to be remembered in His future
kingdom, Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in
Paradise.”
The morning before my Dad died I had the honor and privilege of spending time alone with him. My mother and sister were unable to come until
later that afternoon. I knew time was
short. His breathing had changed.- it was shallow and a bit labored. His eyes were unresponsive. I held his hand and told him I loved
him. I relayed to him that my sister and
I would take good care of my Mom. I squeezed his hand several times and stroked
his brow – but he did not respond.
I had been watching the TV in his room and switched channels to the Sunday morning church program In Touch with Dr. Charles F Stanley. It
is one of my favorite shows. Dad and
I listed to his message (although he didn't acknowledge it) and at the end Dr. Stanley had a very poignant
invitation to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
My prayer is that my Dad did make peace with
God in the quiet of his heart and the moments before he took his last breath on
this earth.
I trust God has been
pleased with my attitude, actions and words while I cared for my Dad. He spent many days in
the hospital prior to his final stay at the adjacent nursing home facility. I knew the nurses and attendants on both the
morning and the evening shifts by name.
They were wonderful, compassionate caregivers, and they treated
him with such dignity and love.
God bless you Dad… you will be greatly missed.
God bless you Dad… you will be greatly missed.
I implore you, don't leave earth without being certain of your salvation. If you are in doubt - please read my post It's Not About Religion - It's About Relationship
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free
My God my Savior has ransomed me,
And like a flood, His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing Grace
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - by Chris Tomlin
Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together.
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