A difficult day and a prayer request

/ The Pastor

It is going to be one of those difficult mornings…

…actually…its not like I have these often.  Today is the first time since I became a pastor that I, personally, will have to deal with the eventual death of a loved one.  You see…my grandma is close to death and we expect that to happen any moment now.  I’m having a hard time even typing this so I am wondering how in the world I will even be able to ask my congregations for their prayer support this morning.  My wife said she would handle this for me if I need her…and I just might have to take her up on that offer. 

This will leave me with one grandma left.  My first grandpa died in 1994 from colon cancer and my second grandpa died in 2000 from a massive stroke on the golf course (right where he had always told people he wanted to die).  Of course I know that we don’t live for ever on this earth.  Of course I know that eventually I will be mourning the death of my grandparents (and other loved ones), but it doesn’t make it any easier.  And to top things off, my mom asked me yesterday if I would give the eulogy for the family.  Wow…I said "yes", but now I am wondering if I can.

Now I ask you to please keep me and my family in your prayers as we prepare to say "see you later" to my grandma.  I also ask for your prayers of focus as I lead worship and preach this morning.  Just the thought of grandma sends tears running from my eyes.

But here’s the really cool thing…
we have an amazingly awesome and faithfully loving God!!!

We have a God who send His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins…that we may have a New Life.  And because of that promise I can say with confidence, "See you later, grandma".  I know that Satan would love nothing more than to distract me all morning…keeping me from proclaiming God’s awesome love to people, but the resurrection is what gives me hope.  So…in the words of Martin Luther I say to Satan, "Go back to hell, where you belong! Because of Jesus, my grandma will live forever and I will see her again…and…I will have another chance to enjoy her delicious pumpkin pie".

So…on that note…please join me in a word of prayer as we begin our mornings/days…
Gracious and loving God, at the baptism of Jesus you sent your Spirit upon him in the form of a dove and announced, "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."  And by sending Jesus to this earth to live and die and rise again you, in effect, are saying the same thing to us "You are my children, whom I love; with you I am well pleased".  Grant us faith to see in death the gateway to eternal life and strengthen us in that hope that we may proclaim Jesus’ sacrificial love to all.  Lord God (on a personal note) please grant my grandma peace as she leaves this world to be in your loving arms and strengthen me and my family in our faith as we say, "see you later".  In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

Thank you and God bless!

-edh-

10 thoughts on “A difficult day and a prayer request”

  2. Thank you. Connie and I saw my grandma yesterday and she opened her eyes for me and seemed to know who I was. She does know that one of her children is not there, but he will be by Wednesday. We think she is holding on until he arrives and then that will be it. We’re guessing by the end of the week.

  3. May God’s peace be with your grandma and all of you who love and cherish her. Even if it does not seem obvious if she knows you are there, hearing is the last sense to fade- she knows your voice. And thanks be to God that God knows all of our voices and will call us home to a warm embrace. Take care.

  5. Hey brother. As we go through this difficult time, I am praying for the whole family. We went to see her yesterday and she opened her eyes for a little while. When she saw me, she said, “For Heaven Sakes (her favorite expression), how did you get here?” Then she said, “When I get home, I will see you”. And actually, we will all see her when we get home. I will never forget this day and we will support each other.
    Love always,
    Your sis.

  6. Julie — I am glad you got there to see grandma and spend time with her. I am even more glad that she knew you were there. What a blessing and a special memory to cling to.

    Love always,
    Your bro

  9. Eric,
    My prayers are with you. My last grandparent, Grandma Bea, died this fall. It’s hard for me, but I know she is having a great time in the resurrection – no more pain, no more memory loss, but unending joy in the presence of the Lord. Peace to you and yours.

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