I have given that quite a bit of reflection now that I know he is in the last stages of kidney failure. Diet change and IV fluids twice a day have given him a new lease on life. He is active and full of life again---which is a miracle because not long ago, he was dying.
Phlique at the vet's office:
Turns out, about the time my Dad called and said he felt he was dying, Phlique was, too. I rushed to Dad and got medical attention for him---IV fluids and respiratory assistance. He has a new lease on life, as well.
Do I dare to compare them? Of course not. But I am reminded of the scripture (that is repeated several times) "God is loving to all He has made."
Psalm 145:9
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
Dad never complains so when he called me at 9 a.m. saying, "I don't think I'm going to make it." I knew he was serious. "I'm sorry--but my old lungs have just worn out. Can you come this weekend?"
My heart began breaking. It is the day I never wanted to see. Dudley and I changed our plans immediately and headed to where he lives--3 hours away.
Dad refused an ambulance until we could get there. We found him barely breathing because his lungs were full of fluid. The ambulance came and the techs began helping him and transported him to the nearest hospital. He was dehydrated and had pneumonia. He was drowning.
Dudley declared,
"It will be OK.
NO ONE IS DYING TODAY!"
Thank God for the authority and faith of a believer!!
Dad in the ER:
As God would have it, we celebrated Dad's 80th birthday in his hospital room! He was feeling well enough to make me mad, lecture me once or twice... and yet was humble enough to throw his hands in the air and thank God for his life and his children. All three of his children were there in the hospital to celebrate his birthday with a cake.
Heaven was smiling on our little family.
Heaven was smiling on our little family.
Birthday and lectures:
I was so overtaken by a migraine headache, that I, too, was admitted through the ER and was given narcotics. Dad and I both left the hospital in wheelchairs. But by God's power....we both LEFT!!!
My sister and her husband helped as we disinfected Dad's house so he and his wife, who also had pneumonia, could return home and recover. It was a labor of love that blessed them so much. They were both so weak.
I told Dad, "The day will come when you will be gathered to your fathers--but that is not today.
When that day comes, I will be here for you and we will look at it together,
but that is not today."
God, I love my Daddy.
Then I found out Phlique was sick. My little dog. Fluids and a diet change have revived him, as I said. I thought about the parallels and the impending loss I will experience. My heart grieved and rejoiced at the same time. How does the heart do that??
I went to a seminar about "Hearing God's Voice". During the practice part of the session, I was paired with a lovely lady and we were to ask God to give us one word that would be meaningful to the person we were paired with.
I told the lady, "You go first!" She said...."It's kinda odd....but all I have is the word 'DOG' for you!"
I cried! I told her how Phlique was critically ill and how I was caring for him. I was overwhelmed at how God cared for ME and for what concerns ME.
Phlique is better---and Dad is better. In fact, after this seminar, God gave me a word to give to my Father. (You would just have to imagine how much faith it took for me to write it down and mail to him!!!)
The word was this:
Dear Dad, March
6, 2013
Sometimes
God gives me a message for other people—but not very often. This morning, this
was on my heart for you:
“I have heard your prayers for your
family. You have cried out to Me for Me to help them, guide them, give them
good lives and bless their families.
You have also been burdened with “I
wish I had done this” or “I wish I had not done that” and I want you to know
those things are taken care of. I have
worked in the hearts of your children and where you feared there would be
rejection, you will find their hearts are tender with You. You have also asked me to work in their lives
to make right the things that you feel were hurt. I am doing this work.
I am also working in your heart to
let this burden go. Have I not said, “Cast all your cares on Me because I care
for you”? I have heard your prayers and
have visited you and your family with My grace.
Your pouring of love towards them has
healed many a misstep. As My word says, “Love covers a multitude of sins” you
are seeing the redeeming power of love.
And do not allow the enemy of your
soul to tell you that the years with your young family are those of regret for
there was much laughter and I was with all of you to bring each of you though
very unique experiences. Each person was
molded in very particular ways through those years and they are all My
workmanship.
You do well to love your family with
a full heart. Do not hold back and
communicate often for the approval and nearness of the father teaches them of
the approval and nearness of their Heavenly Father.
You are deeply loved and I have heard
your prayers.”
I mailed it and waited. Enough time went by that I KNEW he had received it--but he didn't call. I was afraid he was upset by it. I asked Dudley to call him (hahaha) to see if all was well. :)
Dad said when he read it, he wanted to frame it, but it was 2 pages long so he couldn't fit it in a frame. Funny.
God bless him. He soaked it up.
It was a letter from THE Father to MY Father.
And to receive that little word of knowledge "Dog"?? Oh, God loves dogs and Daddies. Both will be gathered to their Maker and I will have to let them go. But not without a fight from this girl---you can bet on that!!
I visited Dad this past weekend. We shot guns together. Talked and talked (he doesn't turn on the TV...which I love about him)!
He mows with the tractor. He hunts. He does what he can. But mostly, he loves. He has been a rough son-of-a-gun to know and be raised by----but he is finishing strong in love. Thank God!
Dad and Dudley on the 'War Wagon' last weekend:
And with my Phlique--we will finish strong in love. God has spoken tenderly to me about both of them. He truly loves and is compassionate to "all He has made".
Daily fluids for Phlique:
And He is tender and compassionate with me.
Thank GOD.
What do you have in your life that can be rolled onto the Lord's shoulders? He waits, loves, and cares. For the lilies of the field, for the tiny sparrows, for dogs and Daddies....He carries it all. And He loves you.
Trust our sweet Daddy God. He will not let you down.
Love,
Marcie Elliott-Smith
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