Conversations

"I still want God's will, not mine" - Dad

I've been encouraged lately by conversations--encouraged that my dad, although his body is slowly failing, is still spiritually strong and thanking the Lord.  Who knows, maybe there will come times of discouragement for him, but I pray that God would strengthen him and that all of us around him (whether physically or virtually through the phone lines/Internet) could be a comfort to him (and to my mom).

On one conversation, my dad expressed that "in some ways, it's [his cancer] been a blessing"--not that he would have chosen it--but that he and mom have gotten to know each other so much better through this trial.  At the end of that conversation, my dad asked if he could pray for me and J--for US--even though he was the one lying in a hospital bed in my parents' living room.  I turned the phone on speakerphone so that both J and I could hear my dad praying.  What a beautiful moment.

On a couple conversations, Dad has wanted to sing.  Once he sang "He Is Lord" and another time "I Cast All My Cares upon You."  Since childhood, I've loved hearing my dad sing, and I treasure each moment that I can hear his voice.  Even now, despite his fatigue, he sings out a heartfelt song of praise to God.

"Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:25, 26