Thank you
Posted on July 10, 2007
Filed Under Personal |
“…I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
I have been overwhelmed by the kind and gracious response from you all regarding my Dad’s situation. I was reading many of your comments yesterday while sitting in the hospital next to my Dad’s bed as he slept.
I am not ashamed to tell you that there was a good bit of salt water running down my cheeks. Your words and prayers have come at a difficult time and have been like a soothing ointment to me. It was especially moving to be only a few feet from him as I read many of your prayers and your promises to pray. I cannot imagine that our heavenly Father will not answer them in His wise and gracious manner.
I want to respect my Dad’s privacy and confidence so I will refrain from giving you much of the details. However, as we were trying to communicate yesterday and discuss his situation, his speech became very clear at one point when he looked at me with his kind eyes and wanted to pass whatever comfort he could: “It will be okay. We’ll just leave it up to Jesus to work this out.”
I considered that a gift from God.
I am reminded of this verse:
“…when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep…” Acts 13:36
None of us know when we will have served God’s purpose. My Dad doesn’t understand why the Lord is keeping him here, but he trusts that He has a plan that has not yet been fulfilled and he is willing to walk that path to the end.
I pray that your walk will be one that recognizes you are here for a purpose and that we are to fulfill that purpose to the end, no matter how difficult the path may be. We are not a people who have no hope, but rather a people who know in Whom we have believed and we are convinced that He is able to guard what we have entrusted to Him for that day.
Thank you.
P.S. Many of you shared in your comments some of your own personal trials that you are going through. I prayed for you as I read them. May God grant you His overwhelming Peace and Joy through your struggles as well.
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8 Responses to “Thank you”
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Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Hello Dr. Tackett,
With tears streaming I read about your fathers stroke. I am so sorry, and I am humbled. Your words are a comfort to me, to continue on, to accomplish Gods purpose in my life, to accept his plans and while we may grieve we know that he is still in control. At a time when I wish I had words to comfort you , you have comforted me. Thank you….I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Dear Dr. Tackett,
I am deeply sorry to hear about your Dad. It is so wonderful that he has been whole in mind and body these many years. We will be praying for you and yours at class tonight. We will pray for peace, wisdom and restful sleep.
You are in the beginning stages of another change in life, one of the hardest; when a parent has a permanent change of address. I have not experienced it myself but think of the day when I will, not one I look forward to. I know as do you that through these times we have a choice; to go through climbing the hills and mountains of change with GOD or to just go through them. I know that I speak for all of your BLOG audience that we hurt with you, trust with you and pray GOD’S peace for you.
Laurie
Dear Del,
What a wonderful godly example your father is giving you in submitting to God. Even when he doesn’t understanding why and what benefit God will bring out of this…he is trusting his God. Knowing that He is good…and can bring good out of even our worst circumstances. What a dear precious man!
We will continue praying for you and your daddy…that God will pour out His love to you, strengthen you, uphold you with His mighty, righteous right hand. Please know that He is at work in Your circumstances. Lord bless!
Dear Dr. Tackett,
I want to express how much your words have touched my heart. During the wee hours of this morning I meditated on the words in your Sunday writings (and prayed for you). I was unable to sleep because my husband and I also had our plans interrupted as we lost our tiny baby we so very much wanted. In the last week and a half of limbo, waiting for answers regarding my pregnancy I often found myself telling God what to do instead of waiting on Him and trusting that His plan is better than any I could imagine. You words on Sunday were so timely. As I began to know yesterday that our babe would not remain with us I clung to scripture and your recent words as a great source of comfort. I thank you for sharing your story because you have helped me through this very sad time but I also want you to know that because your words have never been far from my mind in the last two days that I have prayed for your Dad and you and your wife constantly. I have wept much that last two days but I have also thanked God for wise people like you who share your hearts and bring so much help to others. Thank you.
Del,
I hesitate to reply because this is your “Thank you” note and I feel a bit intrusive in doing so.
Your Dad’s wondering as to why the Lord is keeping him with us is quite natural for his situation. His complete resignation to the Lord’s will is a powerful declaration of his faith. It reminds me of Christ’s resignation to His Father’s will in the garden, before He was taken away. “….yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Share with your Dad the great benefit to us all in the witnessing of his faith, his conviction, his strength, and the great love of his family! All of this is such a blessing to us that it must be at least a small part of the Lord’s plan.
Prayerfully,
Dan…
Dear Del:
Thanks for sharing thoughts from your heart. I’m blessed to hear of your close relationship with your Dad. I can see where your clear thinking comes from. Thank you for sharing it on a regular basis.
I pray you and your Dad will get to enjoy that camping trip soon.
God’s blessing on you and your family,
Mel Rebik & Family
Dear Del,
I am sorry to learn about your dad. I know you are disappointed in this change in plans but what strikes me is that you are honoring your Dad by submitting to the Lord and to this change in your plans and staying by him when he needs you. Honoring our parents is not just for little children who say “Yes, Ma’am” and “Yes, Sir”. It is for all of us who are commanded to honor our parents. My mother is 81 and recently it struck me that it is still necessary to honor her even though it might not be convenient or seem necessary. Thank you for the example you are setting as a reminder to us all. Diane C.
Del,
I’ll try to make this short, but I wanted you to encourage you through my grandmother’s story.
She was 85 when she had a stroke, and our family grieved deeply for the incredible blessing we lost that day, for she was one of those rare Christians who LIVED the love of Christ. Although she lived for another 2 years, she had lost her mobility, and some of her ability to reason and speak. Yet her love, and the faithful example of my grandfather’s daily visits reached nursing home staff in a way nothing else could.
She often questioned God’s delay in taking her home, but admitted to me once, through tears, “God knows that if my suffering will reach one more soul for His glory, I would willingly suffer. So, I just have to trust that is why I’m here!”
Grandma’s funeral was an amazing day for me. So many came to share the stories of her influence on their lives. Many nursing home staff, although hardened by their constant exposure to suffering, tearfully expressed their appreciation of her example. I’ll have to wait until heaven to meet the one that was saved from that staff, but I don’t at all doubt that it happened.
May God grant your father comfort as he continues to run the race, all the way to the Great Finish Line. May He grant your family grace and you a double portion of your father’s spirit to carry on the legacy. You have been truly blessed!