My dad died when I was 15 years old ~ almost 41 years ago. For over 30 years Bill's dad has filled the roll of "Dad" for me. For the past 4 years he's lived with us. Life has been interesting having a (now) 93 year old in the household.
It's also been a real blessing!
Two weeks ago he chose to have surgery to remove some skin cancer on his head and since then his health and weight have been declining (actually the weight loss began a couple weeks before the surgery. But last night he felt well enough to sit through a hair cut with my daughter Katie. She's never cut his hair before and she likened the experience to cutting fluffy feathers. That means it wasn't easy! : )
But it was definitely worth it! He liked it!!
We talked for a long time last Tuesday night. He told me that he's pretty sure he's dying ~ he wishes it wouldn't take so long. He also told me he doesn't believe there's a God or a place called Heaven. He said he's had 93 years to reach that conclusion. I shared my faith with him and told him how glad I was that he had moved in with us. I told him how much we all hoped to spend eternity with him. I'm not sure if he's interested in having anymore talks with me...but I'm very interested in still talking with him. Please pray that I have (and take) more opportunities to share the Gospel with this dear man.
13 comments:
Marie~
What a sweet post! I certainly will pray for your "Dad", that God can touch his heart in some way. Thanks for stopping by my blog & your sweet comments!! As far as I know, no one has pinned me on their Pinterest before!! That is so sweet!
Blessings,
Cindy
THANK YOU FRIEND FOR SHARING THIS IT REMINDS ME MY MOM.. SHE PAST AWAY 2 YEARS AGO IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND I LIVED IN HOLLAND..IS A LONG STORY BUT MY LAST VACATION THERE I PRAY AND SHE ACCEPT JESUS..WHAT A RELIEF..SHE WAS SO OPEN LIKE SHE TOLD ME YES I BELIEVE..WOW WHAT A HAPINESS..WE WILL PRAY FOR THIS MEN..HE NEEDS JESUS AS SAVIOR HE DO..MY LOVES FOR YOU DEAR FRIEND..
What precious, precious photos! I wish I could be there when he steps through the "veil", as he recognizes his "real home" once again and is
greeted by all his loved ones, including his Savior.
I hope your little owl flew there safe and sound. I'm still experimenting with him. Today, I sent you another bow tie (which I think I like better). But I'll let you choose. : )
Take care,
Mary Lou
Dear, precious man he is. I have heard similar words from others including our brother-in-law days before he passed away. We asked his permission to continue to share and we did. I do not know but can hope his heart was changed and we will see him again one day.
I have had the following verses taped to the inside cover of my Bible because I have prayed them back to the Lord many, many times for those very close to my heart.
2 Timothy 2: 23-26
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
I will be praying with you, sweet friend!
Love, Lorraine
Marie, I am sure he will cherish any conversations you have with him. Keep a kind heart and he will listen. It is not up to us to change their minds but instead to show the way through our actions and kindness.
On a lighter note, if we lived nearby I would totally hook him up with Bob's grandma..now she's a bit older than him, but at 98 she is a hottie with wispy white hair too!!
Oh Dear Marie...how your heart must be breaking....I pray God's Holy Spirit give you just the right words to open the heart of your dear FIL and he allows Jesus to come in.
Father God I came before you in the name of your son Jesus,asking that your Holy Spirit would draw this dear soul to your side.Cradle him ever so gently in your arms...make your presence known to him and remove the scales of unbelief from his spiritual eyes so that he may receive salvation for his soul and spend life everlasting with you in your Heavenly Kingdom. Bless your child Marie and give her wisdom as she shares your truth with this one. Please,grant your peace to Marie and bless her household....in Jesus precious name. Amen
I am agreeing with you and believing for the salvation of your dear Fil. Blessings dear friend
Reminds me of my father. Even though he was a church goer, I am not sure he felt secure in where he was going. He told me, he did not want to go to the Lord as a begger. Begging to be saved, now that his time on earth was drawing closed. We each have a time to ask or beg so to speak. I pray you are able to find the words that will help your FIL, ask.
Deb
Oh Marie I will stop right now and pray ! What a blessing you two have been to each other and now I know you must have some pain in your heart to hear that about this man who is a beloved part of you r life..I will be praying girl...so get preachin' :) But do remember...no matter what happens your life and service to this man has been such a testimony to God & his love. Keep doing what you are doing! Everytime I visit you I love you more & more!!!
your father-in-law has the sweetest, kindest face. I'm sure this is a difficult time for you but I'm sure that your faith will carry you through and with your love and understanding it will also help him
Thanks for sharing this with us, Marie. I'm sure it's hard to know when our close family members are near their end of days. But it must be comforting for all to know that they're ready. They have peace in their heart and they're ready to be with the Lord. You are all blessed to have each other.
Marie I enjoyed the pics,he looks so sweet and kind.I will be praying for him and you.God bless you for the love and care you have shown this precious man!Hugs,Jen
Hi Marie, How wonderful that you have such a close relationship with your father in law. I will definitely be praying for him to know the Lord before he passes. May God bless you and your family for the kindness and love you have shown your father in law. ~ Abby
Thank you for so many sweet comments, always :)
My mom was in the same place as your dear father in law. I did my best, a few times, to share God's love and promises. It wasn't easy to know what to say as she could be harsh with me... prideful... cruel at times. When the cancer stopped responding to the meds, the pain increased~ the nights were long... she dreaded the night. I reached out and encouraged her to talk to Him. The long hours when the rest of the world was asleep~ He would be there, waiting for her. I hope she opened her heart to Him. Praying for you and your dear family :)
Hugs to you!
Post a Comment