A blog where women are inspired and encouraged to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

My Dad Is Now In The Arms Of Jesus



Last week, after a long, difficult battle with cancer, my dad took his last breath and ran into the outstretched, loving arms of Jesus.
My heart aches and rejoices.

My heart aches because in this life:

I’ll never again hear his precious Southern-laced voice on the phone (telling me he’s ‘just fine’ even though we both know better).
I’ll never again hear him call me ‘angel’ or ‘sweetheart’.
I’ll never again need to choose that just-right birthday card or Christmas gift.
I’ll never again hear those often repeated, wonderful stories of his adventurous youth.
I'll never again look into those soulful, beautiful, blue eyes.
I’ll never again hear him sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me on the phone.
I’ll never again have a patiently given in-just-the-right-spot back scratch.
I’ll never again sit next to him on the couch, my hand lovingly held in his.

And yet...

I can hardly contain my joy that:

He’s truly being held in the arms of the God who created the universe.
He’s truly worshiping in His very presence.  
He’s truly being lavished with His perfect love.
He’s truly able to breathe with ease and walk without the weight of sickness, worry and fear.
He truly has a completely joy-filled, satisfied soul!

My sadness is great. Oh, but my joy is so much greater 
 because I know the word of God it true
 
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me 
has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."
John 5:24 NIV

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be 
no more death or mourning or crying or pain, 
for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 NIV

"You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host,
 the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. 
You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You."
Nehemiah 9:6 NIV
Living in His grace,
Mary

 My dear sister, I'd like to ask you for two quick favors.
1.  Please go to the block of Google Friends over in the right column and click Join this Site. This doesn't subscribe you or obligate you to anything. It's just a way to let me know that you visited Woman to Woman. If you're reading this by email, you'll need to click Here to sign in. 
2.  Please click the Facebook Like button in the right column. (I love seeing your beautiful faces!)

Each woman who stops by WtoW (I'm talking about you!) is so precious to our Lord and to me. 
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments, emails, and FB messages. 
 It's always so good to hear from you!

28 comments:

  1. So very sorry for your loss. Your loss, is definitely heavens gain. Saying prayers for you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Denise, thank you so much for your prayers. God Bless!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mary, I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying right now that our Lord and Savior will continue to comfort you in your sadness with His promises. ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beckey, thanks so much for going to Jesus for me. I really appreciate the hugs!

      Delete
  4. Mary I am sorry for your loss. Stay strong my sister!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Diana! God is so good to provide strength and comfort. Blessings to you!

      Delete
  5. Love this post! Thank you for sharing your heart here and for leaving me such an encouraging comment at Doorkeeper. I'm following your blog & following your FB page. Blessings, Mary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Renee, I'm so glad you came by. Thank you for taking time to comment and follow. I really appreciate it. Blessings to you!

      Delete
  6. I am sorry you will miss your Dad for this short season...and happy he is finally HOME! May the years pass quickly until you are reunited with him in heaven! (stopping over from A Pause on the Path)

    Genevieve | Turquoise Gates
    http://www.turquoisegates.com/2012/11/the-reforming-pessimist.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Genevieve, thank you for your sweet words of comfort. I'm so glad you came by today. I'm off to visit your site! Blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a sweet tribute to your father's life. It brought tears to my eyes. May God continue to comfort you as you honor his memory, celebrate his entry into God's perfect presence, and grieve this loss.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tyanne, thank you for your sweet encouragement and comforting words. I'm so blessed that you came by today. Blessings to you!

      Delete
  9. Found your link from Women Living Well....
    I couldn't help to click on the image that you posted of your father. He is very similar to mine that past away 2 1/2 years ago. I miss him dearly. My eyes welled up with tears as I read your post. Thanks for sharing your heart and I pray that you will be comforted during this season and blessed by all the wonderful memories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Gracie, I'm so glad you found my site! I'm sorry for the loss of your dad... it's so hard and yet, I'm so thankful that we have such a beautiful assurance of eternity.
      Blessing to you, my new friend!

      Delete
  10. Mary, We're neighbors at ICD today, and I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's homegoing. He sounds like a remarkable man, and I'm sure you made him beam with pride. I'll leave you with this fabulous thing to look forward to:
    His smiling face and open arms greeting you in Heaven!
    What a wonderful GUARANTEE!
    Hugs from VA,
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan, thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement. It's such a comfort to know that God's words are true... GUARANTEED! I'm glad that we're neighbors today and that you stopped by! Blessings to you!

      Delete
  11. Stopping by from the WIP link up. I am so sorry for your loss. Praying you are strengthened as you walk through this season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbie, I'm so glad you came by. Thank you for your kind words and prayers.
      Blessings to you!

      Delete
  12. As I read your loving thoughts on your father, my eyes filled with tears. It's been a month since my father was hospitalized with heart and liver failure. God has been wonderful and gracious during this time. I am so grateful that he spared my father's life so that my family can continue to minister to him and share the love of Jesus with the hope that one day he would come to receive Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. My father is now in a rehabilitation center receiving therapy to strengthen his body. His mind remains in a state of confusion but we are praying for complete healing. Your tribute to your father spoke to me deeply. In great sadness there can also be joy and peace when we put our hope and trust in our Abba Father.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, how my heart goes out to you, your dad, and your family. It can be devastating and emotionally and physically exhausting to watch our loved ones go through such tough stuff. How sweet of God to extend your time with him. Please know that I'm adding your dad to my prayer list, joining my prayers with yours for his saving relationship with our Lord Jesus. Our hope is in Him. Blessing to you, my dear sister.

      Delete
  13. Mary,
    I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad....but I loved the thoughts you shared in this post. When you talked about all the things you would miss about him, I know those things all too well. I lost my Dad in January. We take those things for granted sometimes those little things. But the truth you spoke about Heaven and your Dad being up there worshiping God, that too was amazing....and it gives me peace. Thank you for sharing this. I am over visiting and a new follower from I Wouldn't Trade Nothing for My Journey Now....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Regina, I'm so sorry for your loss. For both of us, this will be our first holiday season without our dads... A time to recount the good memories we might have. But, as you and I celebrate the birth of our savior, out dads will actually BE IN His glorious presence! Wow! Thanks so much for coming by and taking time to share your story.
      Blessings and peace to you sweet sister.

      Delete
  14. So sorry for your loss, Mary, but I'm glad you have such good memories and are sure of his faith. My dad passed away nearly three years ago and, although the pain is less, it's still hard to believe. My family and I will be praying for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meghan, I'm so sorry that you lost your dad. I hope this holiday season is filled with loving memories of him. Thank you for your sweet words and especially for your prayers. Blessings to you, my friend.

      Delete
  15. Sorry to hear about your loss. Thankful you are rejoicing that he is with Jesus... there's no greater comfort than that.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you, Becca. You're absolutely right... I take great comfort knowing that my dad is with my Dad. I'm glad you came by today. Blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. =( I'm sorry about your loss. But as you said, you also rejoice and we do too knowing that your dad is in a place where there is no sadness or tears. =) God bless you..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Viviene, thanks so much for your comforting words. I love 'no sadness or tears'! Thank you for stopping by. Blessings to you!

      Delete

Your comments mean so much to me. I love reading each and every one! Thanks so much!