Busyness

It has been a while since I last wrote. Why? I could say that school work and a few preaching engagements have taken up my time. Other activities like paperwork for the internship this summer have taken some time. Most of these things will fade in memory, but the one that will not is the decline in the health of my Dad. When I wrote last, in March, Dad had finished one week of radiation and chemotherapy for the cancer in his left lung. The last week in March a pneumonia developed in Dad’s lungs and his ability to breath was severely impacted. This led to less physical activity, a loss of appetite and dehydration that came from nothing tasting good.

On April 10th, Dad had an appointment with the lung doctor. Dad was only able to walk a few steps, breathing was a major challenge. The doctor admitted Dad to the hospital that day and Dad still is in the hospital. There have been days when Dad was not able to communicate with anyone and other days when he seemed almost like the Dad I know. It has been a rough time, not knowing what the next day would bring.

When one of your loved ones is far away from death, it is easy to think things will go on like they are forever. We do not want to think about the inevitable. Recently, I have been faced with the inevitable, because it is apparent that death is near. Is death a few days away? Or will it stay away for a few weeks or months? Only God knows.

One encouraging fact is that Dad has been reconciled with God. He turned away from his sin and embraced the grace that is found only in Jesus. When Dad dies, I will be sad. I will miss my Father. I will become the old man. But I know that he will be in the presence of Jesus and he will never have to struggle again for breath!