It was one year ago today that God reached down and took my Dad home. Even though we miss him dearly, we know that he's in a better place. My Dad was a trooper throughout his battle with brain cancer and would share with people that he had his "spiritual bags" packed. My Dad's "spiritual bags" that were packed was him being sure of his salvation and knowing that he was going to paradise after he passed. Not everyone is sure of where they're going after they pass. My Dad had confidence of where he was going because he believed that God loves us SO much that He sent his one and only son Jesus to die for his sins (and all of ours as well) and that Jesus was buried after he died and God rose Him to life again. My Dad accepted that he could not do life alone and let God take control of his life.
But it didn't stop there. He was truly a new man. He had a desire to go to church, serve in the church by helping out where needed, to grow in his faith, help others in need, share about Jesus at his place of work - all of this to share the hope that he was given and that is offered to each one of us. We have the free will to do what we want with that gift of hope. We can either accept it and this new life or turn away from it. This change in my Dad happened after he went to men's retreat in February 2011. He came back excited and a new man. He was then diagnosed with brain cancer in April 2011. God's timing is perfect in such a way that He saved my Dad before he got terminal brain cancer. I feel like my Dad was filled with more pure joy in the 1 1/2 years before he passed than I had ever seen! I woke up every morning to him drinking coffee and reading the Bible. He was excited to share what he read!
Losing my Dad has really made me examine my heart over the last year. It has made me dig deeper in my faith and has drawn me closer to God. The awesome thing about Jesus saving us is that not only does He save us eternally so that we can spend that rest of our life with Him after we pass, but He saves us now. What I mean by that is He can help us find freedom from things such as from depression, pain, hurt, grudges, resentment, addictions, fear, sexual immorality, feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, loss, anxiety, the feeling of needing to wear or do certain things to have status...and the list goes on. We have to be willing to give it to Him and have our lives changed. There is freedom in Jesus Christ
Do you have your "spiritual bags" packed?
