On December 8, 2010, I said good-bye to my Dad. His health had taken a turn for the worse since April of that year, but on November 20, 2010, he'd sat at an Iowa Energy game with my mom and me, felt like staying for the entire game, and around 2 weeks later, he was gone.
I want to share a couple of scriptures that showed God knows what He's doing and that it would be Him (God) taking care of Mom - even if we don't like having Dad gone. My dad was always content to fish out of the camp boat in Canada and was happy when someone other than himself caught the largest fish. He's say, "I was the guide." In his obituary, I reminded everyone that he is truly the guide now. He's guiding us all to follow him to Heaven.
When I read out of my New Century Version of the Daily Bible from December 8, Psalm 139:7-10 says, "Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run from you? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I lie down in the grave, you are there. If I rise with the sun in the east and settle in the west beyond the sea, even there you would guide me. With your right hand you would hold me." [I'm sure you noticed the word "guide." My dad was also a right-handed pitcher : ) I know these verses refer to God, but it was fascinating to me that God's Word referred to guide and right hand.]
2 John 1-13 from Bible reading on the same day says, "From the Elder. To the chosen lady and her children [it's as if written directly to my mom and her family]: I love all of you in the truth, and all those who know the truth love you. We love you because of the truth that lives in us and will be with us forever. [God intends to take care of her.]
"Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, will be with us in truth and love. [I had talked to Mom several times about the fact that Dad might not make it out of the hospital. It wasn't until about the 4th attempt that it seemed to "click" with her. And we talked about how God would give her the grace to make it through.]
"I was very happy to learn that some of your children are following the way of truth, as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, this is not a new command but is the same command we have had from the beginning. I ask you that we all love each other. And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.
"Many false teachers are in the world now who do not confess that Jesus Christ came to earth as a hunman. Anyone who does not confess this is a false teacher and an enemy of Christ. Be careful yourselves that you do not lose everything you have worked for, but that you receive your full reward. [God was cautioning my mom to not fall for things that might steal her salvation.]
"Anyone who goes beyond Christ's teaching and does not continue to follow only his teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If someone cones to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome or accept that person into your house. If you welcome such a person, you share in the evil work. [Be careful of whom you allow into your home and who you take advice from.]
"I have many things to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so we can be full of joy. [Unbelievably - my mom has yelled the word "Joy!" many times at baseball games or prayed for everyone to have the Joy of the Lord.] The children of your chosen sister greet you."
If you are facing the death of someone you love very much, keep in mind that the joy of the Lord is your strength. Keep your sights on Him; on the One who will bring your family together in eternity - never to be separated again.
God bless!