So i came up Sunday night and got to be with dad as he met Jesus face to face on Monday afternoon. He rested peacefully, well that is unless someone touched him. The medical staff called in Stage IV cancer in the lungs which had passed over into his liver. We were aware of his third bout with prostate cancer requiring a surgery that never got to happen.
My brother and i were with dad as he left this place into the presence of Jesus. I prayed at roughly 2:15 for the Lord to come get him. Dad was ready. If God as the author of Life and over comer of death had prepared his place, it was time. Upon requesting Jesus to come and closing with Amen, be it so Lord. Dad's breathing ceased. His heart beat for another 20 seconds or so which they say is normal. But the lungs had stopped inhaling. He was no longer with us.
I feel sadness and joy. My emotions have varied. When so much of our prayer life centers on "God please HEAL" this or that, it seems foreign to pray for anything else. Yet if I believe that I will see my dad again. That this life is NOT all there is. That Jesus promises us a better place and dad was not going to be better physically, then shouldn't i want what is best for him???? Real love is not about what i want, it's about what is best for the one i claim to love. The best thing for dad was to meet Jesus in person! My wife remarked later that night if dad had maybe yet to have a cup of coffee and catch up with my grandma who passed away a few years back. I could just imagine that conversation.
So it is not "good bye dad"- no rather it's "Hey dad, I'll see you in a little while" Take care until we chat again.
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