Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Convinced

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

We are headed to Los Angeles this weekend to see Dad. Normally, we spend Easter with him but this year we had commitments at home and didn't make it. He will turn 88 this summer and the family realizes how important it is to make time to see him. It is especially fitting that we go over the Memorial Day weekend as a way to honor Dad for his 20 years of service in the Navy.

Mark says, "Gettin' old ain't no place for sissies." As I watch Dad struggle with vision loss, kidney failure, and loneliness since the death of my mother, I admire his will and determination to live. He is limited in what he can do but we all call him when we're in a tight spot because we know we can count him to be our prayer warrior. He always wants to hear stories about the girlies. He keeps me up on politics and sports. Our visits give him something to look forward to when life gets so daily. And anything is better than eating in the dining room of his retirement community.

Dad showers his love on all of us—young or old, son or daughter, in-law or out-law. In God's scheme, his life on earth is just a dash with that ending date unknown. But we know, in due time, he will head Home, his vision clear, looking into the face of his Savior.

My Heavenly Father loves me even more than my dad. Even when life spins out of control, I'm convinced that nothing will ever separate me from that love—even when war threatens in the Middle East, oil spills unchecked in the Gulf, politicians wrangle for control, and evil rampages through our city streets. Satan, the great liar and thief, may think he is the ruler of this earth but he is so wrong.

Remember ... nothing.