Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8
Every Friday morning, my grandfather would take my grandmother to the beauty shop as he has always done every Friday morning for the past few years. He loved taking care of my grandmother and providing for her. He would drop her off for her hair appointment, then he would go to the store to pick up some groceries, fill up the car with gas, go to the bank, and be back just in time to pick up my grandmother looking quite beautiful to enjoy the rest of their day.
But on the Friday of Sept 9, they didn’t make it there. They were in a serious care accident that landed them upside down after the car finally came to a stop.
I had taken the day off to go out of town, when a coworker called me to let me know.
I was shaking on the way there. As I entered the ER I could not have imagined the series of events that would unfold before our family for the next month. It was tragic and one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.
To see my grandparents hurting was beyond painful. They were bleeding and bruised beyond anything I could imagine. I was trying to be brave and encourage them but my heart was sinking as I struggled to hide my tears. I didn’t know if they would make it, and if they did, how would they survive the pain of healing?
After the ER, came the intensive care unit. You pray, you wait…you pray…you wait more. Then you have people pray for you because you can no longer find the words as your mind and body have gone numb.
Then you wonder if you could have done anything to prevent it. If only I had been there, if only they had waited 5 minutes, if only, if only…
But the Lord is sovereign. He knows all things before they happen. And I could only find comfort repeating Romans 8:28, “ For we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.”
My grandmother finally made it out of ICU and so did my granddad, but only for a day before he had to go back. I would be happy to see my grandmother doing so well, then my heart would sadden as I went back to my grandfather and saw his pain.
But even through all of his pain, he never cursed God. He reminded me of Job. My granddad would ask us to read him scripture, sing hymns, and we prayed with him every night.
And then one day, he stopped responding to us. He appeared to be in a deep sleep and I knew he was getting ready to go Home.
I found comfort knowing He would be with the very One he had so beautifully followed. He displayed the heart of Jesus more than I any man I know. He was always loving me unconditionally and always letting me know how special I was. Isn’t that what Jesus does? I look forward to seeing them both when my day to go Home comes.
