I have received so many sweet contacts over the last two months. A young college girl contacted me a couple of days ago about her father. Her father was just admitted to hospice and the young girl knows her father does not have long for this earth. Oh, I forgot to mention he has pancreatic cancer. Her main worry is not so much about his well being, but about his faith. This young girl loves the Lord and knows what it means to have Jesus as her Savior. Her worry is that her father would not spend eternity with the Lord. After several exchanges of messages, I told her I would try to stop by the hospice unit on my way home from work yesterday.
I had so many things on my mind on the way home yesterday. I knew we were not going to be able to go to church because Collin had a project due, he had a doctor’s appointment; I was running late from work, etc. As I approached the entrance of 385, it dawned on me what I had told this young girl. I would go by to see her father after work. I called Jay and told him what I was going to do. He didn’t sound surprised, just a little leery of why. I told him that if anything happened to him and I didn’t stop, I would never forgive myself. I felt like I would have been disobedient to a call from God. I know people have said – how can she be so open and deal with all of this so soon after Trey’s death. All I can say is that my strength comes ONLY from the Lord and I am being obedient in everything that I am doing. I have never felt such an urgent need to advance the kingdom. That lesson came from the brave actions of my son.
The hospice unit was the same unit we were going to transfer Trey to shortly prior to his death. Yesterday was 2 months since Trey passed. I sat in my car and thought to myself, what am I doing, I have got to be crazy. And then I received a text from my pastor – He is able – therefore so are you! Okay, okay. I grabbed my bible and walked in the building.
As I walked in to Mr. Smith’s room (name protected), I was so thankful he was awake and alert because I knew he had been sleeping a lot. I introduced myself and he knew who I was because he began to cry. God put many things in the room for us to talk about. He is a UT fan! As I began to talk about his faith and his daughter, the lady that was sitting with him excused herself. We discussed his salvation in depth and he believed in Jesus and that he was going to heaven. Then he asked me the oddest question. “Do you think that I am sick?” I said, “Well, I am only a momma, not a doctor, but just by looking at you I think you might be a little sick.” Mr. Smith was very jaundice. He still had some hair. More than most men I know. I ended our visit by telling him to trust in the doctors and trust in our Lord. We held hands and prayed. I prayed for a peace that would calm all his questions. We both cried a little.
I left the unit and felt an overwhelming peace of doing God’s work. But yet the question he asked still haunted me – “Do I look sick?” I thought about that in terms of my own life. If someone looked at me, would they know by my appearance that I was a Christian? Would they know by my actions, my words, my tweets, and my dress? Or do I look sick? Am I weary, worried, sad, angry, and unhappy? And then my heart sank. I thought of Trey. Yes, there were days he looked sick. Jay and I were talking last night that we were so blessed that he kept his hair and we did not have to deal with the jaundice. God blessed us in SO many ways. He had so many days he was joyful…content in his circumstances.
Satan tempts us every chance he gets to advance sickness in our lives. It can be in the form of mental turmoil, physical pain, or his greatest attempt is our spiritual development. The only way to fight the sickness of Satan is to be girded with the word of God. I have this scripture taped on my computer:
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Ps. 51:12
My prayer for you is that if you are suffering in sickness, you will be able to identify your illness and combat it with the word of God and remain in contact with Him in prayer. His word will not come back void. Never. #dontmissjesus
living the life of christ 
Thanks Lisa. Love reading your posts and keeping up with you and your family. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing Jesus….. The world need to see Him…
Thank you for opening my eyes in so many ways!
You are such an inspiration to me. I’ve known, and loved you for a long time. Your witness these last few months has helped me to live each day with a greater purpose for living for Christ. I know today’s entry will resonate with many people, and I am one of them. God’s peace to you, Jay and Colin. L
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Thank you for posting this. Been dealing with illness myself for quite some time and this is very encouraging. Thank you for obeying the Lord. Obedience brings blessings (to you and others).
Thank you for sharing this. I too am dealing with an elderly father close to death with a host of illnesses, and I am not sure if he knows Jesus. On admission to the ER recently, my dad was asked about his religious affiliation and he said “none”. My heart sank. I pray GOD will show me a way to talk to my dadabout Jesus and that he accept Jesus into his heart, soon.
Peggy, I can tell you that the loss of a loved one is so great after they are gone. But the thought of not knowing their eternal home would be much greater. I know now that I do not want to stand before the Lord and have him ask me why I did not speak to that person about Jesus if I was the means for that person to hear about Christ. I pray you have the strength and that God will give you the perfect, peaceful opportunity and you will step out in faith.
Hi Lisa, I just wanted to let you know that you are true disciple for Christ. What does the bible say, “you shall know them by their fruit.” As I read about Trey and saw his strength, and listen to you after he’s gone to be with the Lord, and to be able to continue His work. It’s great to know that there are Christians who are truly sold out for God. Not that you’re perfect, because I know you’re not; but, you are doing what Christ is asking of you. That’s a great place to be!!
Tina
I feel moved to write somthing but wasn’t sure what…what words of encouragement can i offer that you haven’t heard over and over? And then it occured to me, “Your trust in the Lord is an inspiration to ME”. You probably think, ahhh I have heard that before, so let me rephrase it…”Your trust in the Lord is an inspiration to Julia Selph”. That, you have not heard before…what I mean is that everyone is at a different place in their lifes journey so for me to say “your faith in an inspiration to ME” is differnt then when the next person says to you “your faith is an inspiration to me”. It is the ME’s that make that statement so unique. Truly amazing when you think about it…God is working through you and how that transcends to the people you touch is totally unique, as unique as where that person is on their lifes journey. Prayers for you and your family.
Beautiful story! I’m honored to be so connected to this story & family! Thank you so much for posting! Lots of love!
Are you crazy? Maybe … But stay that way! Living for Jesus is crazy. Love your heart, maybe because it so clearly shows His. Daphne, from the UK.
precious lisa, you are an absolute angel of God. and just reading this wonderul piece, i could picture trey right there in the room with you. God bless you and your sweet family.
In Christ,we GET to be obedient and we GET to enjoy the fellowship of Christ’s suffering and we Get to do for others as if God Himself were the do-er. I know who you visited and I know his daughter and you may have thought at the time that you were there alone – but you were not. Willful obedience unto the Lord God – no matter what – is always delightful and satisfying to God. In love, we simply GET to be His “hands and voice” and then we GET to enjoy the quiet thrill at the opportunities God gives us to give Him our thanks. O what manner of love is this that God should bestow His love on us. [1 john 3:1]
Thank you for reminding me of the life I should all be living. I know your journey cannot be easy and I am so very GREATFUL that you are such a guiding light to the life of Christ. God Bless You
What you do everyday is amazing! I wish I had the relationship with jesus to help me get through some tough times I honestly wouldn’t even know where to start. Your blog helps a lot. Thank you!
What an awesome thing to do. You are such a strong person. Thanks for sharing all if this with the world.
Thank you for reminding me of God’s love and the ability to know when to be obedient to him. I do not know you but have followed your story as well as Trey’s. You are such a guiding light to us all. God Bless You!
Wow, this post really spoke to me tonight, in several different ways! God is certainly using you to witness to others, and it’s amazing to watch Him work through you. I’ve never met you or your family, but I pray for you all. Thank you for sharing this post. You are having an impact and making a difference in the lives of others.
Amy
Nobody or nothing will ever replace Trey. Proud of your attitude to witness to others. Trey lives on!
Mrs. Erwin. I was wondering if I may somehow speak with you. In your September 6 post, you spoke about my cousin. I live in Georiga and drove to see Him last week. (He passed from this painful world into the arms of Jesus last evening). I would love to just be able to hear a bit more about your visit with him. We have had him on our prayer list from the time he was diagnosed. I prayed and prayed about his salvation……My email is (menottinagy@gmail.com
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so difficult to let them pass away ……..the best consolation is knowing they are dancing in heaven with our Heavenly Father. What a glorious celebration it was when they were received……
God Bless you andy our Family.
Cheryl Menotti Nagy