Twenty

What a month. Who knew that September would pass by, taking my Dad with it? September has always been a favorite month for me. I love the changing of the weather, the turning of the leaves. That won't change, but it will have a new element from now on. His 76th birthday would have been
just a few days from now.

Dad had dementia and was in a lot of pain, had been for many years. He was getting weaker and weaker and the day before he died asked Mom if she would help him to die. She told him that she could not do that, and that we had to wait upon the Lord to take him home when He was ready.

That night Mom prayed that God would indeed take him home, as it was clear that things would not get better, and she knew that Dad would be safely in Jesus' presence and finally out of pain. God honored her prayer, and before morning Dad was escorted by angels before His throne. What an amazing thing to happen! I am so grateful to God that He willingly offered up His own Son to die in the place of my Dad, and me, and whosoever believes, and then rose Him up from the dead, so that death no longer has a hold on us!

That truth gives me such joy, such peace and such wonderful anticipation of eternity when I will not only see my Dad again, but I will see my Savior, Jesus Christ, and have the incomprehensible honor of spending eternity with Him, serving Him. Death where is your victory? Death where is your sting? You are defeated.

If you are reading this blog, and you don't know Jesus Christ, you are lost. You may think you believe you have the answers, but deep down you know that you don't. Deep down you know that there is something missing in your life...and there is. You have a God-shaped hole in your heart that only Jesus Christ can fill. You will never be content until and unless you turn to Him. He is alive, and because of that glorious truth, you can be too, for all eternity. Your sins (and if you are honest with yourself, you will realize that you are a sinner) stand between you and your Creator, because He is holy, holy, holy, and can have no part with sin. But Christ lived a sinless life on this earth, and then took the punishment that was rightfully yours by dying on the cross for you. Because of this, all who know Him can boldy stand before His throne for all eternity, declared innocent completely forgiven. If you do not know Him you better get your hands on a Bible (His Word which He has provided so that you can learn about who He is and what His plans are for you and the rest of His creation) and read it. He is your only hope.

My Dad knew Him. He trust Jesus to keep His word and keep him for all of eternity. Two years ago, when he was recovering from hip surgery and having a pretty rough time of it, I was talking to him about heaven, and how wonderful it would be when we finally arrived there. He started singing the song What a Day That Will Be by Jim Hill. This week we sang it at his funeral. His mind was feeble, but his spirit was strong...

"There is coming a day
when no heartache shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
no more tears to dim the eye;
All is peace forever more
on that happy golden shore-
What a day, glorious day, that will be.

What a day that will be
when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face--
the One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
and leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day, that will be.

There'll be no sorrow there,
no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
no more parting over there;
And forever I will be
with the One who died for me--
What a day, glorious day, that will be.--

What a day that will be
when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face--
the One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
and leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day, that will be."