DESTINATION GOD

PEACE, PEACE, WONDERFUL PEACE

Peace, peace, wonderful peace. Coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, With fathomless billows of love.

It has been quite a couple of months. One we knew was coming, but, nevertheless, still very draining. In Karen's family there have been 3 deaths since the end of June. Most recently was Karen's other grandfather  Frank-- whom we call "PaPaw".

Frank, as well as Karen's other grandfather, Donald (whom I wrote about in Milkshakes, Hearing Loss, and Cows), were both diagnosed with cancer within a few weeks of each other back at the end of 2005. And both well into their 80's. I entitled this piece as I did because of what I observed over the last few months of Frank's life.  Since we moved back to the area in April, we have had many opportunities to go over. It was an amazing experience to visit Frank and Bonnie (Nanny).

Because of his cancer, Frank spent much of the past few months asleep. He would wake up for a moment, then go back to sleep. But he always maintained such a sweet spirit. Once when we were visiting he woke up as Karen spoke to him. They carried on a conversation for a couple of minutes. Then he dozed back off. Then, about an hour later, he woke up again and asked, "Where's Tim?", referring to me of course. I acknowledged him, he said a word or two to me, then back to sleep. As we were getting ready to leave, he awoke and said "bye".

I observed him being awakened in order to eat, visit, etc. He always displayed a great attitude. Very jovial. Very easy-going. Retaining a quiet dignity even in the face of the indignities one might associate with a body failing under the strain of cancer. I would also observe Nanny taking care of him. Always very tender. Always soft-spoken. And I would observe the family. This was a family already dealing with the untimely (humanly speaking) death of a daughter, sister, mother, aunt at the all-too-young age of 47. In fact, father and daughter went to be with Jesus almost exactly 2 months apart. But the family never "blinked". Frank liked coconut cakes and pies, so we took one over to him on one of visits. And we all had a great laugh at the memories of coconut cakes and pies past. And so it went.

All my observation left me with one unmistakable conclusion. This was a man, and a family, at peace with the decisions of Almighty God. This was a man, and a family, with a keen awareness that death is not "goodbye". It is merely, "Till we meet again".

Now, don't get me wrong. We are saddened by the loss of his presence with us. But we are at peace with his absence from us. Why? Well maybe the words of Jesus from John 14:23-27 can shed a little light on it. If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him ... All this I have spoken while still with you ... Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you ... Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Frank loved God. He listened to, and obeyed, the words of Jesus. He allowed Jesus to make His home in Frank's life. And now jesus has returned the favor. So why should "our hearts be troubled"? I started this blog with the chorus to the Warren Cornell / George Cooper hymn, Wonderful Peace. Let me close it by printing it in its enirety,