In the past week my wife's grandfather has taken a turn for the worse. He has had a lot of complications with his breathing for a few years now. A few weeks ago he went on Oxygen, hoping that would comfort him. Then he was rushed to the hospital because his heart was almost out of control. It doesn't seem that he will make it out of this.
Talking with my wife she wondered, "How do you pray for Opa?" (Dutch term for Grandpa) This is a very interesting question. One that I have thought about on different occasions. When you love someone so much, you want them to be with you forever. Unfortunately, we will never live forever, and neither will our loved ones. In a time like this, we want our loved ones to be with us forever. So, we think we should pray for healing. We want Opa to be around forever.
Yet on the other hand he has had a hard time breathing for a few years. Each breath is like work for him. In the hot, humid Summers of Southern Ontario he struggles even more. The last time we visited with him he said he was sick of it. He was ready to go. That was a few months ago already. Now it appears he is close to death. Do we pray that he be healed and return to struggling for each breath? Or do we pray that the Lord would take him home soon?
No matter how many times one encounters death, it is never easy. I have experienced the death of 3 grandparents, 2 uncles, friends' parents, friends themselves, and a number of church members. No matter how many times one is faced with death, it is never easy. Each situation is different from another.
Oma, (dutch term for Grandma) said that Opa is ready to meet his redeemer. As a Christian we have the assurance of knowing Jesus died for us, so we can be with him. No matter how much we know this in our head, it still hurts our heart. Experiencing death always makes me think of the promise that Jesus will come again. At that time "They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away!" (Revelation 21:3-4).
In times like these we want to pray for ourselves. But we also pray that Opa wouldnt have to suffer any longer. In times like these I also want to pray, "Come quickly Lord Jesus!"
When Morning Breaks and Shadows Flee (Boston)
6 hours ago
1 comment:
Good question Brian!
We have been wondering the same thing! As a medical professional, working in Long Term Care, we often pray for healing and alleviation of suffering, which usually in Long Term Care, refers to death for most people. However, as a family member (even an in-law) it is difficult to pray for death because it is a loved one whom we don't want to dielike you have said.
We have been praying for God's will, and ease of pain and suffering, and if that means death in the near future, knowing that opa is ready to meet his maker, we are accepting of that as much as we can be.
Hope you and Brenda are well. You are nver far from our thoughts!
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