Randy Alcorn said
"we should not romanticize death. But those who know Jesus should realize
that death is the gateway to never-ending joy."
My friend's father
died recently. She was close to her dad. He called her 'My Princess'. Before he
died he suffered from Tuberculosis. When he got healed from TB, he then had
Dementia, a mental disease that causes one to have gradual memory loss. In effect,
he would often ask who she was, but on good days, he'd fully recognize her. She
recalled asking him "Sige nga Dad, sino ako?" his reply, "ikaw
pa, you're my princess!".
My friend is a
believer in Jesus Christ. I remember seeing her with her mom and dad in
church's Sunday Services or special gatherings. I regret that I never had the
chance to talk with him during those times but I heard my friend would often
share gospel to him. Just days before he died, his memory was lucid. It was her
chance to ask some questions about his faith. She said he seemed to really
understand that Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and Life; no one comes to the
Father except through Jesus (John 14:6). It was encouraging.
I went to the wake
and hugged my friend. As I looked at her, understandably you'd know that she
lacked sleep, but she was on her usual bubbly self. Her last encounter with her
dad is giving her joy in the midst of grief--he could be in heaven now, without
any sickness and they will see each other again someday.
I hope to all those
who have lost their dad; to those who are grieving for the loss of their loved
ones, please look to Christ. He is the Great Comforter. I also mourn with you
and I pray that the loss will bring you to seeking Jesus more. To know the God
who is the giver of eternal life (John 3:16)
Death is gain
(Philippians 1:21). While I don't wish to die now, I am open to God's timing of
my death because that day will be the glorious day as I meet my Creator, my
Lord and Savior.
Recommended sites to
visit:
desiringod.org
higherrockchurch.org
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