Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Inspired

So recently my wife showed me a blog website of a friend who's husband is struggling with terminal cancer.  He is now in hospice, and probably won't make it much longer.  This post inspires me to be more of a man of God.  I echo with my brother, "I need to grow up." I am ready to take life more seriously.  Read the words of this wife who records a day in the hospice:



We had the kids come last night and Josiah talked with both of them individually for what will probably be the last time on this earth.  It was one of the most precious and heart-wrenching scenes I have ever witnessed.  He loves his children so much.  I want to write down what his words were to them in case I forget.  I want to be able to remind them later.
Ava was very excited to see her Daddy.  She is not intimidated by new places and ran right to him when I brought her back to Josiah’s room.  She cuddled very sweetly on his lap while they had one of their “talks”.  Josiah has been talking with her about heaven and death for a couple weeks now.  Just little bits at a time.  When she got settled, he first gave her the plan of salvation right off the bat.  He told her what Jesus had done for her on the cross and that she needed His forgiveness for her sins.  He told her that she needed to then live her life for Jesus.  She heartily agreed to all of this…not sure how much she understands at this point, but she is getting truth in her head.  Josiah went on to tell her how much he loves her.  He reminded her of the name he called her when she was a baby (“baby Ava”).  He told her to love Mommy and to obey her.  He told her that God had a special plan for her life.  He then kissed her hair, her hands, and her sweet little face.  The three of us read a little book together and then she gave her Daddy a bear hug and a big kiss and happily skipped out of the room.
On the way back to the waiting room she asked if there were other sick people there.  I explained to her again, in simple terms, about death and heaven.  I told her that she had just had a special, special talk with Daddy and that someday I would remind her of it.  She was happy with that answer and went to spread some much needed joy and love in the waiting room.
For Lincoln, I had planned out with my Mom to bring him hungry so Josiah could feed him a bottle.  For the past several months Lincoln’s bedtime bottle has been their special Father-Son time, so I thought that would be a nice calm things for them to do together.  Lincoln was a little unsure, but as soon as he saw his Daddy, his face lit up!  Link cuddled and drank his bottle and Josiah talked with him.  He challenged him to be the man of the house.  To watch out and take care of his mother and big sister.  He emphasized to him several times to respect his mother, to obey her, and grow in wisdom so he could give wise counsel to her.  That he had picked out his mother from everyone else to be his wife and Lincoln’s mother.  He told him to make sure that no one harmed his sister.  He told him about the love of Jesus and how God sent Him to earth to die for him.  He told him to be a warrior for the Lord.  Josiah told him how proud he was of him and how much he loved him.  He told him that he was “his beloved son, in whom he was well pleased”.  How he was carrying on his name and when it was the right time, he was to pick out a “special little lady”.  Josiah prayed that Lincoln would be a man of honor and integrity.  That he would be a man’s man…strong and gentle.  That he would never be bitter or angry because his Daddy died so early.  That both Link and Ava would know Christ at an early age and live for Him all their days.  Josiah prayed that I would have wisdom in raising them.
Josiah took off Lincoln’s little slipper and sock and tickled his foot.  He wanted to hear Link giggle and he did.  Josiah kissed him and cuddled with him and after Lincoln was done with his bottle I took him back out.  Lincoln grinned all the way out.  I told Lincoln on our way back to the waiting room that he had just a very special talk with his Daddy and that I would remind him of it one day.
God gave Josiah strength to have these special moments with his beloved children.  I am very thankful for that.
I don’t think Josiah could have ever finished everything he had on his list.  But we will not have any regrets.  Whatever gets accomplished is what was supposed to happen.  The rest….God will provide.




WHAT A MAN OF GOD....I AM TRULY INSPIRED

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