Meditations

These last few days have been of the heaviest and hardest types.  Tuesday my dad was taken to the local hospital where my folks live, and it became clear that he wasn’t going to be coming home.  After a couple of damaging heart attacks, fluid buildup in his lungs, a bad heart valve and more, the prognosis was given as “day-to-day.”  Today, it was decided that there is nothing more the doctors can do.  His body is shutting down.  As of this moment, he is sleeping with oxygen, a low dose of morphine, and no food or water per his living will.

The Christmas season for some is a difficult one for a home-going.  I can’t think of any season in which it wouldn’t be difficult.  Nonetheless, I find it fitting and even encouraging.

You see my dad led me to the Lord many years ago.  I’m guessing it was about 42 years ago, but to be honest, I don’t know what year it was.  I know approximately where we lived and when we lived there, but it’s too long ago now for me to really be certain about those details.

One thing I do know is Dad had taken me to a church Christmas program recital, and we were driving home in the dark from that recital.  Just Dad and me.  As he drove us home, he began to tell me why Christmas and the coming of Jesus was so important, and that the baby of Bethlehem became the Savior of all mankind.  I remember he asked me if I wanted to pray and ask God to forgive me of my sins and to have Jesus come live in my heart.

I said yes.  I prayed the prayer that Dad led me in as he continued driving in the dark.  The darkness left.  The light came.

Oh what a wonderful Savior who frees us from the darkness of sin and redeems us to live in his marvelous light!

So Dad is moving on soon.  The whole reason for Christmas, the whole reason for Jesus coming is so that we can go and be with Him.  Dad is about to finally rejoice at the sight of his Christmas Savior.  What better time could there be to see Him and to celebrate His coming but in His radiant presence?

I came across this song today.  First in Spanish and then in English.  It’s called “Show Us Christ.”  I love these lyrics that come from Peter’s response so long ago: “Where else can we go Lord?  Where else can we go.  You have the words of eternal life.”

That’s where Dad is going very, very soon.  I’m going there someday too.  I hope you’re going there too.  Do you know Christ as your Savior?  There’s no where else to go, no where else to go; only Jesus has the words of eternal life.

and in Spanish which is even better…