Without a doubt, the Lord knows and cares about every detail of our lives. This was evidenced to me in a very special way over the past few months as my dad’s health declined after a four year battle with cancer.
My third novel, Under Moonlit Skies, released last September. My dad’s eyesight had deteriorated to the point he was unable to read. Since he’d enjoyed the other two books I’d written, I offered to read Stew and Esther’s story to him.
A SPECIAL TIME
At first, he declined, fearing it would take too much of my time. But, this spring, he asked if I would read it to him. So, each week, over the summer, I went and read a couple of chapters outside on the patio or in the swing. He would ask questions and tell me “thank you” over and over. The time became so precious to us both.
By July, we’d just reached the halfway point when he took a fall that landed him in first the hospital, then rehab. We also learned his cancer was becoming unresponsive to the chemo meds, so I feared his time was short-lived.
I prayed the Lord would allow him more time and that, if it be His will, we would be able to finish the novel. It became important to me to see the cherished novel reading time to completion. The Lord answered my prayer and my dad rallied for more than two months.
GOD’S TIMING
Eventually, as the cancer progressed, it became increasingly difficult to read together. He would fall asleep at times, and I had to jog his memory on the names and whereabouts of characters in between sessions. But we continued to look forward to that special time together, sharing the adventures I had penned.
We finally reached “The End” on October 9. He clapped when I finished, sending a wave of joy and satisfaction through me. What an honor and privilege it was to share that special time with him, making a memory I will never forget. The Lord had answered my prayer…just in the nick of time.
Days later, he worsened to the point we started in-home hospice. One week after we finished the novel, he went to be with Jesus. What a precious gift the Lord gave me in allowing us to share that time together to completion!
The Lord does see and care about every detail of our lives. No one can convince me otherwise. What may seem small in the world’s eyes, speaks volumes to those of us who know and trust in the goodness of the Lord.
~ When have you sensed God giving you a cherished gift? I’d love to hear about it.
Cynthia Roemer’s PRAIRIE SKY SERIES: Stories of faith and resilience on the Midwest prairie Inspirational Historical Romance
UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO
UNDER MOONLIT SKIES ~ BOOK THREE
~Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter.
My Mom took a fall the end of August. She was in rehabilitation for seven weeks. Our 32nd wedding anniversary was October 14. We moved in with my Mom to so she could continue to live at home. We all wanted her to be home to celebrate our anniversary. We was able to return home at 6:30 pm on October 13.
How wonderful! Praise God! Thanks for sharing, Debra!
What a precious blessing that you could read to your Dad. Very sweet. I miss my Daddy every much. He went to be with the Lord in 1998.
It truly was, Melissa! I feel blessed to have had him with us as long as we did. I’ll always miss him too! Blessings!
Your story is so precious Cynthia. I’m so glad you had that extra time with your dad. Your memories will forever hold you <3 God bless you all as He holds you in His hands during this hard time. Prayers dear friend.
Thanks, Peg! I am too! So very grateful for the time we shared. Blessings!
Oh Cynthia, this is so very sweet. I’m thankful you have this special memory to always treasure. What a beautiful tribute to your dad! The Lord is good.
Thanks, Candace! He is indeed. It was such a special time and reassurance of the Lord’s love. God bless you!
So sorry about your Dad Cynthia, glad you were able to read to him, it was a good storyline, praying fir peace for your family.
Thanks so much, Ann! I so appreciate your prayers and friendship!
What a poignant story! I’m so glad the Lord gave you that precious time with your dad and that you were able to finish it with him. Prayers for your comfort in this time.
Thank you, Lila! It was a story I just had to share. I’m glad you wre blessed by it. God bless!
What a sweet thing to do with your dad, you got to read to him and you were able to finish reading the book to him. What Precious cherished moments to got to share with your dad. Yes God is Good, All the time. I was able to be with my dad and my mom when they both passed, I had been with my dad and my mom 3 months before my dad passed away helping my mom with my dad, he was also in home hospice, He passed away 15 yrs and 6 months ago, God is good and I was able to be there and holding his hand when he passed away. When my mom passed away 1 yr. and 7 months ago, my 5 siblings and I took turns and staying with her at her house helping her out, I would stay with her for a month or 2 at a time, well,I had had been home a couple of weeks after being with her. We got a call from the hospital and one of my sisters drove to my house from her house and picked me up , we went straight to the hospital , my 2 younger sisters and I spent the night at the hospital with our mom that night. The next day my mom got real sick , she also got phnemomia plus other things, the Dr. told us they couldn’t do anything for her anymore, so my 2 younger sisters and 1 of our brothers were able to be with her when she passed away(our other 2 brothers lived 15 hrs away, I was 5 hours away). I thank God for letting me be there with both my parents when they passed away. You know my mom had been in a coma in the hospital like a week before she passed away , and she came out of the hospital and was able to be home for maybe a week before they had to take her back to the hospital where she passed away. I am so very grateful that God let me be with both my parents and talk to them before they passed away. God Bless you my friend, my Heartfelt Condolences to you and your family.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your story, Alicia. Such a blessing to spend those final precious days with our loved ones. God’s blessings to you, my friend!
Thank you so much for sharing that precious story of time with your sweet dad. ❤️ Prayers continue for your family.
Thanks so much, Leasa! Your kind words and prayers are appreciated. Thanks for all your support and encouragement. Blessings!