Sunday, July 6, 2008

I'm thankful to be able to honor my father during his last days.


HON'OR, v.t on'or. [L. honoro.]

1. To revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to.

Honor thy father and thy mother. Ex.20.

2. To reverence; to manifest the highest veneration for, in words and actions; to entertain the most exalted thoughts of; to worship; to adore.

That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. John 5.

3. To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to elevate in rank or station; to exalt. Men are sometimes honored with titles and offices, which they do not merit.

Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor. Esth.6.

4. To glorify; to render illustrious.


My father is in his final days on this earth. I have spent time with him and tried to be there to make this road easier for him. My dad and I have never been close. He is a very proud man so as I sit next to his bed while his body fails him I'm constantly fighting back the hot tears that are ever tempted to spill over. I have prepared him food and had to feed it to him and this is such a humbling experience.
He has tried to tell me that he was dying but he couldn't. (Although I already know this he thinks I don't.)
I honor him not because of the life he leaves behind;.....
because alcohol consumed him.

I honor him because my Heavenly Father tells me to.

I honor him because I am the person I am today because of him.

I honor him for his fight. He does not give up easily.He is not going down without a
fight..He will not give up.

I honor him because my whole life he would say "If you ever need me all you have to do is call 681-8994" That is my phone number from 20 years ago. He burnt that number in my head....and my heart.

I honor him because even though he never went to church with me he always played gospel music in our home and car.I grew up learning Gods promises through the music he played..I know all the old hymns and it surprises me to know that he put those in my heart..

As I lose one more loved one on this earth I feel the reality of how temporal this place is.

It gives me such a different perspective on the time I spend with my children and husband.
I consider that a great gift from my Heavenly Father because so many people live in the rat race of this life and never get it.

People fill their calenders and their days with meaningless things that rob them of their time and energy..
People work harder to have more things and in the end those things sit around them almost mockingly while they cling to life..

I want to die a poor old woman who has given up everything except the love she has for her family and her Saviour.I want Jesus to be my portion.When I go out of this life I want to have given it all away before I pass....all my material things, but mostly the
life that I leave behind I want it to be the inheritance of God's love that each one of my children will be able to pass down to my grand kids......

Now thats a gift that keeps giving.

6 comments:

mommyofmany said...

Great perspective. It is so very difficult to watch someone you love slip away. I'm sure you are a blessing to your dad as you spend time with him and minister to him. Be sure that your children are watching you... and learning lots about how to demonstrate love to someone. It's a sacrifice... and a privilege at the same time. May God reward you for your faithfulness.

Blessings...

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for you that you have this opportunity. You are given the opportunity to honor the Lord through obedience and to model it for your own children. May God get the glory!

In Christ,
Rebekah H.

missy said...

Oh my friend. My heart is aching for you. I know you are grieving so many things, not just the imminent passing of you dad. You are a gracious, wonderful woman and daughter. I am praying for you during these days.
Love,
Missy

MamaHen said...

Robyn,
This must be so hard for you and you must be dealing with so many different emotions, but I am thankful God has given you and your father this chance to be together.
Wendy Clark

Brandi said...

Can I just amen Missy? I love you and am amazed at your faith and dedication to our Lord and your sweet family. You are an example of a godly mama who follows Jesus relentlessly! I love you and am praying for you these days. I pray that your Daddy sees Jesus in you and chooses HIM.

Love you,
Bran

Heart4Adoption said...

Beautiful post. My heart goes out to you.

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