Listen:
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Psalm 92:12-15)
Reflect:
“Alleluia…, Glory…Glory to God…Nothing exceeds the glory of God…I’m ready. Ready for a new life!” surprising words spoken out loud by my 89 year old Father-in-law, Pops, a former agnostic with advanced dementia, during the weeks before he passed. December 29thPops was diagnosed with an aortic aneurism with a significant dissection(tear) in its inner walls. Doctors predicted he had days to live.
Just three months prior, on September 16th, during a lucid conversation with his son, Dick, Pops finally stopped refusing and accepted Jesus as his Savior. Nearly 40 years of prayer suddenly answered… great rejoicing amongst all those who had prayed, but the dementia left Pops unable to really discuss his decision with us. Thus, we as a family had never heard him pray, let alone praise God, or speak of Jesus much at all. During his final days at home, that changed.
As we sat beside him reading God’s word, holding his hand, listening, we were blessed to hear him in brief moments of lucidity not only pray, but praise God! He spoke of angels, a new life, God being the first and the last…words we will cherish. He prayed the Our Father and sang Amazing Grace with me! We listened to worship music together, praising with our arms moving in rhythm. A memory I will treasure.
Those last 51 days of Pops life were a gift to us his family. Waiting, listening, praying we heard our beloved pops being made ready to leave his wife and family he loved for his eternal home with Jesus, where we will see him again!
Prayer of Response:
“Lord, I pray for our Lifesprings community to never give up praying for those we love to find Jesus. Thank you for my Pops, whose life will still bear fruit by his testimony that lives on through his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Amen!”
—Submitted by Terri La Brie
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