The Lord Is My Light

How wonderfully uplifting to know that God my Father has my earthly father in His hands

I’m sitting in what they call the Chemo Suite / Daycentre with Dad.

He is his usual upbeat self. You know what I mean – not really loud, but the type who are told to ‘shush’ in the library.

As I look across the floor, it is easy to see the ‘unfortunate’ ones compared to the ‘fortunate’ ones.

The ‘unfortunate’ ones sit in recliner lounges with machines buzzing, and drip bags and medical hoses sending chemo concoctions into the body, randomly seeking sinister growths and tumours.

The ‘fortunate’ ones are sitting opposite their loved ones, and often look rather forlorn and drained as well. They have different emotions – both to their loved one – and also to their own feelings of vulnerability and mortality.

It looks and feels hopeless.

But it doesn’t have to be. Yes, I am horribly drained sometimes. I hate seeing Dad in pain. I hate seeing Mum come to terms with Dad’s cancer and the unknown elements of God’s providence. It’s a crazy roller coaster ride that we didn’t buy a ticket for.

I sit opposite my ‘unfortunate’ father. But when you think about it……is he really unfortunate? How wonderfully uplifting to know that God my Father has my earthly father in His hands. How amazing to know that God has given Dad eternal safety and security. How calming, in the midst of all this, to know that God has wrapped Dad in love and comfort. What grandeur and privilege it is to be one of God’s dear children. Chosen. Precious. Loved. For eternity.

A few times, I have just looked out across the floor and cried to the Lord, “Please come Lord Jesus, and make this all good. Please come soon.” But, you know what, He has made it ‘all good’ – some 2000 years ago. He came, He saw and He conquered sin and death. Sure death is still here. This world is a busted and broken place. But the sting of death is no longer. For the Christian, death is but the door handle to paradise. It is the door handle to no more pain, no more crying and no more suffering. It is the door handle to eternal bliss, to eternal joy and an incorruptible inheritance with Christ forever.

That’s the door handle that turns the ‘unfortunate’ into the very ‘fortunate’.

Oh, that I may have my father’s confidence – and always feel my Heavenly Father’s love and comfort.

….and it’s all because of Christ.