January 27, 2019
Never a fan of New Year’s resolutions, I made a short mental list of ones I wanted to try despite my past shortcomings. There were the usual ones dealing with numbers on a scale and messes in my closets and drawers. Another one, being more consistent with my blog writing, qualified for my top resolution. I made the goal knowing that I had done so for the past few years to no avail.
I’ve started drafts and plans in order to post more regularly on my blog.
But all resolutions and plans seemed to lose their importance last week when my dad passed away.
His death has left with me the heaviness of grief. I have much to ponder and process before I am fully prepared to write more about him and the impact of his story on mine.
So as I continue to share about our boys’ antics, recipes, and life lessons, know that I do so not with an absence of grief, but in spite of it.
While I’m not ready to write extensively about my dad, I must share one truth that I have been reminded of during this time.
My dad suffered with the miserable disease of Multiple Sclerosis for years. Almost as many years as I have lived. It took his physical freedom. It also led to him living in a nursing home under 24 hour care. At the time of his death, he couldn’t walk or even sit up in bed by himself. He didn’t own a car. He didn’t own a house. After donating some of his personal items, we came home with a small cardboard box of his belongings. In the end, his bank account didn’t matter. His status didn’t matter. Even his physical abilities didn’t matter.
What mattered was the fact that he had given his heart to Jesus. He had accepted the gift of salvation and forgiveness that our Savior offers.
I pray that as you’re reading this, you too have the assurance of salvation. God loves you so much that He sent Jesus to offer us forgiveness of sins, salvation, abundant life, and eternal life.
There’s nothing wrong with goals and resolutions. I still have plenty. But we must keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16