Early yesterday morning my father in law had a stroke. He was getting out of bed and discovered that his right side was paralyzed. We have spent the last 2 days running back and forth to the hospital and trying to figure out what it all means. He has recovered much of his feeling in his right side but they are keeping him in the hospital for a while. My father in law is one of my favorite people. It is not just that he raised my wife to be the wonderful person she is but 35 years ago he gave his life to Jesus and has become a really amazing person. I sat with him in ICU just the two of us. I asked him how he felt about having a stroke. It was one of those questions you don't often have the chance to ask. I was asking how he felt about growing old. I was asking not just how he felt about the possibility of dying but of dying like this with tiny explosions in his brain that would take life away little by little. It tells you something about my father in law that I felt free to ask him such a thing in the middle of ICU. He laughed his normal little laugh and then looked at me and said,"Well, you know me Joe. I like to be active. I really like to be active. But if God has other plans then He has other plans." And then he said, "I know what my first priority is. I want to impact these people." and he pointed to the nurses and aids walking around outside the room. My father in law admittedly didn't know God's long term plans for him but he could see His short term plans. He was saying that he didn't know about recovery or future strokes but he did know that right now he was in ICU and as far as he could tell it was as good a mission field as any. My father in law has a way with people. Everyone who has ever spent any time with him at all falls in love with him. It is a great trait to have. I think I saw at least some of the reason why. He never looks past them to the next thing. The people in his path are not obstacles to get by in order to get where he is going. They are their own destination and for them it feels absolutely wonderful. I have to believe that is the way people felt around Jesus. After 35 years of walking with Jesus my father in law is acting just like him. And right now the two of them are in ICU on a short term mission trip and the people in Akron City Hospital may never be the same.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
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7 comments:
I will be storming the throne at the feet of Jesus on his behalf for His touch of healing and that doors be opened for your father- in-law to touch those around him as they see Jesus in this loving man as well as your family. God loves him so.
Praying.
He cares enough to listen. And sometimes, many times that is what we need most. Someone to really listen.
Your description of your father-in-law is so true. I am praying for him and your family.
Oh, Joe and Karen, we will be praying for this dear saint.
Thank you for all your prayers. Dick is doing well and hopes to come home tomorrow.
I just got off of the phone with this same father-in-law. What's funny is, I asked him the same question about how he was feeling....I said, "leave it to Joe and I to come right out with it!" :)
I share many of the same feelings as Joe does. He is the "rock" of our family, the one we go to for advice, encouragement and comfort. Truly, a picture of Jesus in our midst. Serving those around him in his time of difficulty, and having fun doing it! I had my children, his grandchildren, read what Joe wrote....this is the legacy he is leaving. Thank you Joe, for putting my heart into words!
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