When I look back at my youth, I remember my mother
taking my sisters, my brother and me to church every Sunday. My father who was definitely the head of the
house remained at home. He ruled the
house with a firm hand and no one disputed his word. He did not believe in sparing the rod and spoiling
the child. My mother who most people
considered kind but weak, never stopped praying for Dad to find the Lord.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
My grandmother who lived next to us really did not
like my mother – so her lack of love for her spilled over to us – her
grandchildren. Grandma went to church
every Sunday but her love did not spill over to our family.
As the years passed, Dad became ill with cancer. Mom prayed even harder for Dad to find the
Lord.
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing. In
everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Her preacher came every week for two years and visited
him. They talked about sports, the world
and upon leaving he would pray with him.
On one of the many visits home to Illinois, I felt it was time for me to
talk to Dad. I knew that I would not be
at peace with him passing unless I spoke to him about the Lord’s love and
grace. As we sat on the porch talking,
Mom stayed in the house – I’m sure praying.
Dad talked about Grandma professing to love the Lord
but not living the life. He talked about
Jonah and the whale and confessed that was pretty hard to believe. I reminded him that he lived with someone who
did talk the talk and walked the walk with the Lord daily. Then we talked about faith and inviting the
Lord to come live in our hearts. I left
feeling that our talk did not make any difference in his life.
Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as the
mustard seed you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there, and it
will move.” Matthew 17:21
A few weeks before he passed, the preacher was
visiting Dad in the hospital. Dad never
talked about their visit or what he said.
Later when I talked to Mom she said that Dad had asked the preacher to
baptize him.
Through all of the suffering with cancer - my mother
considered my Dad’s death peaceful for in his last days he came to know the
Lord. So after his death, we could see
how my mother’s faith, love, strength, and prayers worked for all those who
love Him.
Lord, give each of us strength to be the light for
someone who does not know you as their Lord and Savior. Help us to remember that all things work for
the good of those who love Him. Amen
