Love's Warm Arms

Love's Warm Arms

There are times when sorrow comes to us
and takes a while to follow where it is leading.
All we can do is walk with it through the
maze wondering when we will find the
opening.

My Dad was my father, my friend, my
teacher, right to the end.

Two days before he was to go home,
he said to me, "I believe the same way
as you do."  My heart smiled peacefully
within me over what he had just given
to me.

The time passed.  Then came the
morning, the one day you don't want
to face, but there is no way, no place
you can run fast enough or far enough
to escape.

I was standing by Dad's bedside, he asked
me to close a book he had, but I did not
see the book for him though. I tried to
close it.  He told me it was alright.

Later my mother was on the far side of the
bed Dad was laying on, and I on the side
near the door.

When Dad spoke, he said, "The Church
of Moses has come down to me."  In my
heart I felt it was Jesus, and He wanted
me to be sure I knew it was Him.  I
turned and went out the door a little way.
There was this small table, and on the
table was a book.  It was open, and on the
top left hand side of this book, read these
words.  The Church of Moses is Jesus Christ.

I then knew Jesus was there with my father,
even though I did not see him, it is by faith
I believed him. 
My father turned to me, a look of peace on
his face, and turned to my mother.  So softly
said, "Norma."  This was as quiet as a whisper,
so, so soft, he slipped away, it left me wondering
has he fallen asleep for a while?  But, he was
gone home in the arms of His beloved Jesus.

My heart was breaking, the tears flowed down.
I knew where he was, but it hurt so, he was
gone.

I wanted to be with him.  As a child wants their
loved parent.  But I couldn't go.

The years went by, I say five, long ones for me.

The day came when like a child my grief was more
then I could handle by myself, I knelt down and
cried to God, let me come home.  I miss my Dad
so very much, more then I could bare.  Let me
rip open these bars that keep me here.  No place
in all the universe could hold my sad heart.

Then softly I was lifted up from the floor, my tears
were dried, my nose was clear, and I was standing
with the most beautiful, yes an angel before me.
No wings, no fan fair, no bright lights dancing,
only the quiet peacefulness of God's love for me.

His words though few, were healing to my heart
and my soul.  "It is not your time yet".  Then as
quietly, softly, he was gone. 

As the days that followed, though I cry now as
I write this out, my heart started healing.  I could
go days without crying when I spoke of my Dad.

He came to me in my dreams in the night, to cheer
me.  To go on living.  He would make me laugh.
This night he was laying on a marble slab, one leg
was hanging over the side.  I came near and lifted
his leg to put it back on the marble slab.  I jumped
back for he sat up.  Surprising me!  He said to me,
"You have to go on living."

And I went on living.  My heart marvels at the great
Love God has for His children.  He said he would
never leave us nor forsake us.  When life hands us pain,
remember your not going through it alone, and it
will hurt, even though you know in your mind and
heart it is well with my soul, God did make us special
with hearts that feel deeply as He feels deeply for us.

His heart broke when He had to turn away from His
Son as he hung nailed to a cross.  His tears were with
me when my heart was breaking and my tears flowed.
He cares, He loves with out measure.  Faith is a
wonderful gift.  And sight is given when He knows it
is best.