Sustained

Hey, Dad.

I’m not gonna lie.

I thought Comeback Tom had one more in him.

Every last ER trip before this one had my concern heightened. And, you sure had some ER trips!  But, this wasn’t the one.  I still have the hospital bracelet as my bookmark where you wrote a sentimental message,  “Thanks for staying with me,” at the one in 2019.  I mean, we sure had worse trips to the hospital than this one. But with each one, you had a standard line.  And we knew how you were.  Tired and worn out.  We really tried, though. We tried to suggest things like wheelchairs and lifts to make 87 easier, but even so you’d say, “Nope. Not giving up.”

Mom’s not giving up either, Dad.  She says she’s taking it one day at a time.

“What else can you do?” you would always say.  “Day by day.  What other choice you got?”

I’ve seen other choices, Dad.  I’ve seen what give up looks like.  I just never saw it in you.  I’m not seeing it in Mom, either.  Day by day.  She’s the strongest mom I know.

Through all this,  I have been given an unexpected gift.  I’ve experienced what it means to be sustained.  I can’t explain it any other way.  “Cast your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you.”  I experienced comfort.  I experienced being held up. How can that be at such a time as this?

Jesus says it’s a gift.  “The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So, don’t be troubled. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.”

They happen, Dad.

Day by day.

John 14:27

Psalm 55:22