Post Script of Praise!

EVERYONE PRAISE HIM!!!!

Mom and Pa truly loved one another deeply!   Pa was a good man, a fine example of  a successful, self-made business man and company owner.  Soon  after they married in 1969, Pa was diagnosed with lung cancer.  Being in the boating industry, he had been exposed to many toxic elements plus he was a smoker.  In those days, the medical community had just begun to research cancer’s causes, effects and treatments.  Financially Pa was able to receive treatment at Mayo Clinic.  The treatment: complete removal of his left lung.  Surgeries like that, in early 70’s were harsh to say the least.  He had his breastbone sawed in half to reach the lung and remove it.  Painful–YES!!  His recovery was lengthy, but my mom stuck by his side. 

Soon after I remarried and the God of All Glory offered me the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, I joyfully accepted Jesus Christ.  Everything changed in my life.  Life was no longer about me, it was about Him!  I wanted to share the Gospel message with everyone–I was fearless in telling others.  Children, youth and adults.  My husband and I extended an invitation one Sunday for mom and Pa to visit our church.  That was a day to definitely be remembered!  They sat in the back row in our small country, right behind us.  I don’t remember the sermon that day, but after the message Pastor spoke out to anyone in the church, “If there is anyone here who is searching and would like to know more about Jesus Christ, just raise your hand while we all bow our heads in prayer.”  The church was silent and the pastor began to pray softly.  Behind me I could hear someone sobbing.  I knew I shouldn’t open my eyes, after all this was for God to see not me.   After the prayer I turned around to ask mom and Pa if they enjoyed the service.  Pa, this extremely self-made  successful business owner was sobbing uncontrollably.  Pastor came down from the pulpit and headed straight for Pa.  He led Pa into the other room where the two of them knelt together before God and Pa repented and received the gift of salvation. 

Pa lived for less than 10 years after that, trying every possible treatment for the rapidly spreading cancer.  He kept his relationship and walk with the Lord.  I was with him when he passed.  But I knew where he went…his soul went right into the Lord’s presence. 

The next 20+ years my mom never remarried, nor really dated.  Pa was the “love of her life”. 

In 2005 mom was diagnosed with lung cancer for the third time.  The two previous lung cancers were a treatable type, but the one in 2005 was not.  They did a biopsy and found it was small cell lung cancer usually found in women, people who have never smoked or have quit smoking.  They said she had less than 6 months to live.  She wanted to stay in her little motor home…no hospitals, so I stayed with her.  Thanks to my brothers I was able to spend those last few months with her.  We talked a lot about God, Jesus, heaven, salvation and death.  She was not fearful of death–she even dreamed Pa was waiting for her.  The Hospice chaplain was a wonderful Mennonite woman who loved the Lord dearly.  During several of her visits with mom, they asked me to go outside and just take a break. 

My mother, knowing Jesus Christ as her Savior, went home to be with Jesus in July.  On the exact day that Pa passed 25 years earlier, within 12 hours to the minute.

PRAISE GOD FRO WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

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related/original post:  https://learning2bestill.com/2012/06/17/the-many-names-for-a-father/