He Will Deliver

While visiting at my brother's house this weekend, I received the phone call that my grandfather had passed away. It was at my brother's house almost 2 months ago exactly that I first learned of his illness and was faced with the decision to reconcile with the past and go visit him. I am so glad I made the decision to see him at that time. I've been told that visit was the last time he was completely alert and vocal. Please pray for the family as they prepare for the funeral in the coming days. This is an obvious time to reflect on our family and all the trials that have been faced over so many years. I think of how sad and depressed my grandfather must have been after the death of my grandmother and then my father. He was devastated. The last time I visited him as a child just months after my father's death he told me "it's too hard on me to see you boys. Don't you know it's just too hard on me?" So we never went to visit again. As a 12 year old, I did not understand his feelings since I was dealing with the death of my father and the reality of what my mother had done. It was hard to grasp his lack of compassion for us in what seemed like his own selfish pity. Only now I see how he must have lost all hope. Christ was not the center of his life. He did not know where to turn. He didn't have someone surrounding him with the love of Jesus Christ. We did. He didn't have the constant flood of prayers. We did. He didn't have anyone to remind him to feel the comfort and strength of the outstretched arms of the Lord. We did. He needed someone to tell him "Jesus still loves you." So the realization for me now is seeing all of my blessings in the midst of so much pain. There are so many people that need to hear the truth of hope and healing through the Lord Jesus Christ. These people are much closer to us than we realize.

Tags: Gaile Owens