For Lonnie

In the hours just passed midnight, my father-in-law lost his battle with cancer and passed into eternity.  His final hours in the hospital had been spent with his family at his bedside singing his favorite hymns and talking about things long past, and of course, praying.  Although, as the afternoon had progressed into night, he had long since lost the energy to speak, and had drifted from the conciousness of this life.  I know that he left his earthly existence hearing songs praising our Father, and arrived in Heaven to the songs of the saints and angels praising our Creator.

His battle had been long here on earth...the cancer was secondary to some of the other problems he had faced.  He had been in and out of the hospital with strokes, seizures and heart attacks.  He had been at death's door on several occasions, but had returned not only to leave the hospital (at the amazement of both family members and doctors), but to return to the daily operations of his farm, continuing to drive his tractor and to bale hay in the South Georgia heat, even though he was approaching 80 years old.

Then, gradually, at least in the beginning, he lost his appetite and began to lose weigt.  At Thanksgiving, he hardly ate any of the meal that I had prepared, and only tasted the chocolate pecan pie that I knew was one of his favorites.  The holiday season was filled with trips to the doctor, blood tests, and disappointments.  His appetite never improved, only worsened.  Finally, he could not even drink the dietary supplements that were prescribed, and he was admitted, once again, to the hospital.

Everyone expected this trip to be like so many of the other hospital stays over the last few years. He would bounce back to his old self, and be out doing the things that he had always done within a few weeks.  But, this time, it was different.  His body was tired and wracked by cancer.  In the hours before daylight on January 3, 2000, he departed this life.  Ironically, his wife, Mary, had died on the same day, forty-seven years earlier leaving him the task of raising five children.  These children were now gathered around his bedside, along with several of his grandchildren, as he passed into eternity, with other family members and friends waiting outside the tiny hospital room.  My sixteen year old daughter was one of those who had said her goodbys earlier in the evening.  She had a special bond with her grandfather, and had been one of the last to get a verbal response from him before he slipped away.  She had been singing for him, and he squeezed her hand, as he told her that he loved her.

When the news came to her that he was gone, she drifted to the window in the hallway to be alone.  An older cousin followed to try to comfort her.  Tearfully, she prayed silently to God to assure her that her precious grandfather had been saved, and that she would be able to see him again in Heaven.  Although she knew that he attended church, she needed the confort that he was now with our Heavenly Father.  God does answer prayers!  Even in the midst of despair, He gives us reassurance that He is with us, and on that dark pre-dawn morning, He gave her that sign. 

Skeptical people can discount it as being a power surge, or a glitch.  but, when she asked for a sign, the parking lot lights blinked out momentarily.  There was no storm, nor lightning in the area--no reason for all of the lights in a well-lit area to go out at that point in time!  Nor, was it her imagination, for when it happened, she asked her cousin if he saw it too, and he confirmed that he did.  For my daughter, it was the sign that she needed to know that her grandfather was with God. 

We all need reassurances at times, that God is with us, watching over us.  Sometimes, we are all like Thomas, and feel alone.  But, God promises us that He is with us always, and that He will give us peace.  He tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".  (Philippians 4: 6-7)

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