Reminders of Love

Since I haven't posted in awhile it is probably best if I bring you all up to date. First, my dad has not decided about treatment at this point. We are meeting with the oncologist on Wednesday--perhaps that will help with the decision-making process. My dad is doing well--too well, actually, as it is nearly impossible to get him to take it easy. As a result, he has some swelling in his face and eyes, so much so that one eye is almost swollen shut. He also has blurred vision in that eye.

I have been busy doing a lot of things for my dad, including running him around town since he can't drive. So, I'm tired! There have been many good things, too. Here is how Allison described yesterday:

Today has been a sweet day. The first half of the day saw four different visitors stop by to see Jason’s dad. The first was one who wants to have us all over for supper on Sunday. We’ve only just met her this trip, but she attended my father-in-law’s last church. The next was a lady whom he served as pastor for sixteen years. She’s been through some difficult days in the time he’s known her, and he has been a steady source of wisdom and encouragement. Her appreciation for him is obvious, but she wanted to be sure he knew it again.

About mid-morning, the pastor of the church my in-laws presently attend called. Would there be an extra place at the table at lunchtime? Sure, my mother-in-law said. The pastor said that another pastor friend, Rex, would be coming through town right at noon, and he’d stop in. We so enjoyed this man’s visit. It turned out that I’d met him before years ago—nine years, to be exact. The first summer we were married, we lived twenty-five miles from here on a ranch where Jason worked. During that summer, John MacArthur spoke at a family camp just up the road, and we went to hear a question and answer session. I guess I met Rex that night, although I really don’t remember. He reminisced with my in-laws and Jason, too, about mutual friends.

As we were finishing up our meal, a knock came at the door. It was an old man, slow on his feet and a tremor in his hands. His wife is a resident at the local nursing home where Jason’s dad leads a Bible study. This man, Jim, comes to hear him teach and play his guitar. He sat down at the table with us, and the six of us enjoyed true fellowship in the Lord.

Jim prepared to leave, and Rex, the visiting pastor friend, asked if he would lead us all in prayer. His sweet words brought tears to my eyes as he asked God to give Jason’s dad wisdom as he considers treatment options and, if it is God’s will, he asked for a miracle of healing. He reminded my father-in-law of his love for him as he left. After thirty minutes or so, Rex decided to leave too. Before he did, though, he prayed with us again.

These visits are reminders of how loved my father-in-law is. He’s a man who’s lived out what it is to be a pastor—taking an interest in people’s lives, being available to them, doing whatever he could (including a lot of physical labor) for them. The result? He’s well loved and respected, but I think this attention is a surprise to him. He doesn’t realize, I don’t think, just how important he is to so many people.