My own excellent father is at home with the LORD. He left us on September 30th after a short battle with colon cancer. Neither he nor we knew the severity of his illness and were quite surprised when he was diagnosed three weeks before his death.
Even now, those of us who remain are still reeling from the shock and suddenness of it all; but we still rejoice for we know that daddy is now at home with The LORD, living in the shelter of the Most High and resting in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).
Daddy had many favorite scriptures for he read his Bible throughout the day; but as I read and meditate on Psalm 91, it is very clear that this Psalm describes his life once he accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Here’s what I mean.
Daddy prayed three times a day for each of his loved ones by name. His legacy and influence was felt by all who knew him. It was evident that the fruit of the Spirit was being manifested as he demonstrated his trust in Almighty God.
After being told that he had cancer, his response was, “I wonder how that happened”. He did not panic or get angry at God. He truly believed and trusted that God alone was his refuge and place of safety and his faith did not waver in the midst of surgery to remove the cancer and a short struggle to recover (Psalm 91:2).
His team of doctors and nurses were genuinely saddened at his death—especially the chief surgeon, who teared up when telling us that daddy only had hours to live. This surgeon would joke with daddy and perform small tasks like changing channels on the TV in his room. We would marvel that one so skilled and highly sought after would humble himself to do a small thing like that; but he was quite tall and could reach the TV without having to stand on a chair.
Daddy was 81 when he went home to be with the Lord. He would be the first to tell you that he lived a long life and was looking forward to being with the Father.
I imagine a lot of things about daddy these days—that he is walking the streets of heaven, embracing and smiling at all the friends and family members who are there. He has no more worries, no pain or sickness and most likely already has asked Jesus Christ why the cancer in his old age.
Daddy is at rest. We buried his body (now a shell) according to his wishes. For the believer, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8); for The Lord cares deeply when His loved ones die (Psalm 116:15).
