On a day like today a year ago I was found in distress. My heart wanted the best for Dad. My siblings were all in agreement. They all wanted to go to a more apt hospital to treat for cancer. Ultimately, God did not allow him to goto Sloan Kettiring.
But I am reminded of how important it is to listen and respect our elders. How we are supposed honor them To the degree that we put our own feelings aside and respect them.
Here was the moment in a capsule of time recorded.
Update: Dad is in the Lord’s hands.
But we have done all we can to facilitate a second opinion for him at a Cancer center. Now we will see what the Lord has decided for Dad’s life.
In going about and doing all I could to ensure the best of care for dad. The Lord impressed in my heart that, He, the Lord, was still Lord. He impressed in my heart that Dad should have a say in where he goes for treatment.
The Lord spoke to my heart about Proverbs 22:28.
Where the ancients lay a landmarks and we must honor them. Often times when a person is sick, we feel helpless and want to decide for them what ought to be done. But the Lord reminded that I must honor my father. Just because I know about his mental illness and his incapacity at times in his life, I cannot take control. He is still to be honored. He is still my father. He deserves a voice and a vote as to his care.
It is hard, as a person who has a knowledge of psychology and the mental health of persons who are going through life changing circumstances, one thing is always clear. We must always seek to do no harm.
While I could choose to take matters in to my own hands…
The Lord reminded me of the fact, that, there are boundaries and lines we cannot cross. God never crosses lines. He always gives us the opportunity to decide. Even for our own good, he waits. He waits until we are ready. He himself never violates the will of man.
So, mom and I sat with my dad. We wanted to make him fully aware of his very serious condition. He was cognizant and clear.
He knows the severity of his illness.
He said, I would never want my children to fight among themselves because they did not do all they could to help me. I am content with going to the Cancer center. But trust me, whether they treat me in this local hospital or the one in the city, I know who holds my life in His hands.
God is in control. So, I will go where you have asked me to go for a second opinion.
Then, we will see what happens.
Dignity is something that should never be stripped away from a person. They must always be allowed to choose.
I thank God, Daddy had his rights not violated.
I praise God for the amazing doctors that are helping him until he sees the other specialists.
The cancer has spread. We are believing God for a greater miracle. May he use those he has selected for this task of healing others.
Dad was told he had little time. He was placed on Hospice care. Dad lasted almost an entire year.
As a family we were able glean from him. … we were able to Love on him. We were able to cherish him. Mom and Dad were supported and loved on the Lord saw fit to take Daddy Home to Glory.
Not our will but His was done.
I retrospect, dad never was moved to another hospital. The Lord honored my Dad’s desire to remain where he was. The insurance did not approve the transfer. God allowed peace and love,unity and healing to be what we all had by the time He saw fit to escort Daddy to Heaven’s Gate.
We enjoyed the privilege of seeing him till the very end. We spent timesining, praying, making multiple visits. We shared precious moments an made new memories to hold on to. We held each other. Eventually,when the Lord took Daddy home, wecried together and all were there for our mom.
God is truly faithful. He knows what was best. As believers we understand tr his is not our permanent home. We believe that our lives are eternal and one day we will be wth the Lord.
Daddy had a one to one relationship with the Lord. He was not afraid of death. He was sad to leave us behind. Yet he was confident and sure of where he was headed. This made for days full of joy even in pain. Days of peace in the midst a stage 4 cancer. We saw the very presence of God everytime we spent time with Mom and Dad. We learned of the love between a couple who were completely surrendered to Christ, his plan and his will regardless of what would come.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
II Corinthians 5:1
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:20
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
I Thessalonians 4:16-18
So we trust you Lord, for you honor those who honor you. You lift up those who lift up your name. You will cause us all to one day be with you in our celestial home in your presence forever.
Life and Faith By Deb 
Leave a Reply