I will not forget you

My dad passed away last Palm Sunday. His name is Bob Graham. He had struggled with congestive heart failure for years and he also battled diabetes. Although his death came sudden, my family knew this day would come. And even though we knew he was going to die soon; we still were shocked and upset at his passing. A thousand years couldn’t even prepare us to give up the ones we love.

I am glad my family got to do a window visit a few days before he passed. Due to Covid-19, we couldn’t go into the nursing home to visit. We talked briefly and then I got to pray with my dad one last time. I didn’t know that would be the last time I would talk with my dad. I told him I love him and he told me he loved me too.

As I laid in my bed that first night when I found out that my dad had passed, I remember thinking, I will not forget my dad. Whenever I think of my dad, a lot of memories come to my mind. And they are all good memories.

One of many good memories was the times my dad would take me with him to the Saturday men’s Bible study. He would buy some donuts and then he would joke and carry on with the other men. Even though he loved to have fun with everyone, his desire was to learn the Word of God.   

What brings me a lot of peace and joy during this time is knowing my dad is in heaven with the Lord. He wasn’t perfect, but his hope and trust were in the Gospel alone. Christ had truly changed his life. I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for both of my parents making church and living for the Lord a priority, God only knows where I would be right now. I doubt it would be a good place.

Like the father of the prodigal son embraced his wayward and returning son, my dad embraced me a lot. He wasn’t afraid to laugh, cry, or hug. Sure, his jokes were corny, but he didn’t care because they would either make you laugh or make him laugh at his own jokes. My dad was a happy guy. Sure, he had pain and difficulties, but even at the end of his life he had a smile on his face.   

I will not forget my dad. I know where he is. I know where I’m going when I die, and I know someday I will see him again. One of the ways I know I will be able to deal with the grief and loss of my dad is knowing an amazing aspect of the Gospel. And that is knowing that I’m not alone.

Sure, I can’t call my dad anymore, and I can’t hug him anymore. I can’t go to another Reds baseball with him. But he gave me something that I’ll never lose. He gave me a glimpse of my heavenly Father. And my heavenly Father has told me, I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb. 13:5).

Psalm 25:18 says, “Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.” This verse puts things into perspective. You see, in this life we experience pain, sorrow, depression, loneliness, fear, and frustrations. We can take our burdens to the Lord and He will give us peace and grace. But the reality is, what we really need is far more important than comfort in times of grief, friends to keep us company, or relief when life gets stressful. What we really need is forgiveness and mercy. We need a Savior.

My dad is now in a far better place than this world. I don’t want him to come back to be with me so that I can have peace and comfort. No, I want to make sure that I’m going to go to heaven to be with him where I will have true peace and life everlasting.

Too many times we ask God to remove the pain, when maybe we should say like the Psalmist, Lord, “consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.” Maybe the Lord doesn’t remove our pain and difficulties as a reminder of how much we need Him and how much we tend to look to this world and other things to give us peace and joy when the only thing that can deliver that is the Gospel.

Maybe the Lord allows the pain and difficulties to remain for a greater purpose that is beyond us. A purpose that will drive us to our knees in repentance and faith in Christ. A purpose that helps us to see how sovereign and amazing our God is. A purpose that helps us to see that what we really need is not this world and what it can offer, but a Savior who died on a cross for our sins.

Because when its all said and done, it will not matter how much stuff you’ve collected, what people think of you, or what you’ve accomplished in your life. What will matter is, what did you do with the gift that God the Father gave to you? That gift is Jesus.

I can choose to either live my life for the here and now, or I can choose to live for Christ and have eternity as my inheritance. I don’t like pain, and I don’t enjoy the struggles of life, but knowing that my sins are forgiven, that Christ has given me a new heart, and that my name is written down in the Lamb’s book of life is priceless. I need grace way more than I need my burdens to go away. If Jesus chose to stay on that cross despite feeling like His Father had truly abandoned him, then I know He will not forsake me now in my grief and sorrow. This world is not my home. My true home is a perfect place, one with no pain and no sorrow, no fear, and no death.

So, whenever I’m sad, or whenever life gets hard, I pray to the Lord and he gives me strength and grace; He’s faithful to give me peace. But what I really need to remember is that the Lord never has and never will forsake me. He’s with me. My dad may be in heaven, but he’s also in my heart.

The Lord is like the sun; its always shining bright. The clouds may block the sun’s rays, the rain may obscene our vision, and the storm may make it difficult to live here on earth, but the sun is still there. It never changes just because I’m having a cloudy day. It’s still powerful even though life on earth is chaotic, broken and full of misery. I may weep for the night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psa. 30:5). After Good Friday comes Easter! After death comes life!

My friend, the Lord will never forget you! Psalms 121:1-2 says, “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Yes, I remember a lot of good memories about my dad, but like him, I’m living for the King of kings and Lord of lords! I’m living for that day when I see my Savior face to face. Until then, His words to me, “I will not forget you”, is enough for me.

Thanks, Dad, for the many things you did for me, but mostly for pointing me to live for our heavenly Father. That was the best gift you ever gave me. I will not forget you!