May 11, 2011
Psalm 116:15 - "The death of one that belongs to the LORD is precious in his sight."
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
When I look upon his face,
The one who saved me by His grace;
When he takes me by the hand,
And leads me to the promised land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
Listen to What a Day That Will Be
What a blessing. What a blessing to have the opportunity to sing that song to Dad and for him to miraculously join me in singing. In a clear, firm, strong baritone voice Dad sang, "What a day, glorious day that will be," just hours before he passed away. You're home, Dad. You're home.
Psalm 116:7 - "I said to myself, "Relax, because the LORD takes care of you."
Psalm 116:12-14 - "What can I give the LORD for all the good things he has given me? I will lift up the cup of salvation, and I will pray to the LORD. I will give to the LORD what I promised in front of all his people."
How appropriate is it that the verse I began this page with is where I am reading and writing (after beginning this journal one and a half years ago in November '09), on the exact day we put my Dad's earthly body into the ground.
KJV - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
NIV - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants.
NCV - The death of one that belongs to the LORD is precious in His sight.
I've been told that Psalm 117 is the exact center of the Bible. Just two verses. How equally appropriate that these verses are in today's reading.
Psalm 117 - "All you nations, praise the LORD. All you people, praise him because the LORD loves us very much, and his truth is everlasting. Praise the LORD!
Today, as we lay my Dad to rest, it is not a day of sorrow—it is a day of praise. I am so thankful that I have no regrets. I have no regrets in the way I have honored my earthly father and daily strive to honor my heavenly Father. I have no regrets about the last week of my Dad's life. There isn't anything more I needed (or wanted) to say or do. The restlessness Dad felt on Friday morning and the intermittent pain on Saturday gave way to sleep/coma in the afternoon and evening. At what first appeared to be Dad finally being able to rest again soon became apparent to be more than that. Dad was lying on his back in the Hospice provided bed. Before he went into the coma, Dad drew his feet up close to his bottom. His feet were together and his knees were wide apart butterfly style, each resting on the guardrails of the bed. His arms were straight down to his side. He never moved from that position. I've never seen him in that position before. It looked rather odd, but yet at the same time comfortable. Almost like a fetal position while lying on your back.
Dad went to his final resting place surrounded by love. He left this earth in the most peaceful way possible. My prayers for Dad's peaceful passing happened in a way that I could not have imagined. I'm so grateful God allowed me the privilege of being with both Mom and Dad as praying for Dad as he took his final breath. Thank you, LORD.
There is just nothing more amazing than watching the Hand of God working. That is what we experienced during the time leading up to Dad's passing and most certainly in the way Dad passed. Nothing! God is in control. God does defend the helpless.
The first verses of Psalm 116 are the words of a praise song.
I love the LORD, for He heard my voice. He heard my cry for mercy. I love the LORD, because He turned His ear to me. I will call on Him as long as I live.
Amen. Praise the LORD.
Next Entry: Dad's Graveside Service
Psalm 116:15 - "The death of one that belongs to the LORD is precious in his sight."
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
When I look upon his face,
The one who saved me by His grace;
When he takes me by the hand,
And leads me to the promised land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
Listen to What a Day That Will Be
What a blessing. What a blessing to have the opportunity to sing that song to Dad and for him to miraculously join me in singing. In a clear, firm, strong baritone voice Dad sang, "What a day, glorious day that will be," just hours before he passed away. You're home, Dad. You're home.
Psalm 116:7 - "I said to myself, "Relax, because the LORD takes care of you."
Psalm 116:12-14 - "What can I give the LORD for all the good things he has given me? I will lift up the cup of salvation, and I will pray to the LORD. I will give to the LORD what I promised in front of all his people."
How appropriate is it that the verse I began this page with is where I am reading and writing (after beginning this journal one and a half years ago in November '09), on the exact day we put my Dad's earthly body into the ground.
KJV - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
NIV - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants.
NCV - The death of one that belongs to the LORD is precious in His sight.
I've been told that Psalm 117 is the exact center of the Bible. Just two verses. How equally appropriate that these verses are in today's reading.
Psalm 117 - "All you nations, praise the LORD. All you people, praise him because the LORD loves us very much, and his truth is everlasting. Praise the LORD!
Today, as we lay my Dad to rest, it is not a day of sorrow—it is a day of praise. I am so thankful that I have no regrets. I have no regrets in the way I have honored my earthly father and daily strive to honor my heavenly Father. I have no regrets about the last week of my Dad's life. There isn't anything more I needed (or wanted) to say or do. The restlessness Dad felt on Friday morning and the intermittent pain on Saturday gave way to sleep/coma in the afternoon and evening. At what first appeared to be Dad finally being able to rest again soon became apparent to be more than that. Dad was lying on his back in the Hospice provided bed. Before he went into the coma, Dad drew his feet up close to his bottom. His feet were together and his knees were wide apart butterfly style, each resting on the guardrails of the bed. His arms were straight down to his side. He never moved from that position. I've never seen him in that position before. It looked rather odd, but yet at the same time comfortable. Almost like a fetal position while lying on your back.
Dad went to his final resting place surrounded by love. He left this earth in the most peaceful way possible. My prayers for Dad's peaceful passing happened in a way that I could not have imagined. I'm so grateful God allowed me the privilege of being with both Mom and Dad as praying for Dad as he took his final breath. Thank you, LORD.
There is just nothing more amazing than watching the Hand of God working. That is what we experienced during the time leading up to Dad's passing and most certainly in the way Dad passed. Nothing! God is in control. God does defend the helpless.
The first verses of Psalm 116 are the words of a praise song.
I love the LORD, for He heard my voice. He heard my cry for mercy. I love the LORD, because He turned His ear to me. I will call on Him as long as I live.
Amen. Praise the LORD.
Next Entry: Dad's Graveside Service
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