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On April 4th, 2005, my father was diagnosed with inoperable, stage-four lung cancer (although he never smoked a single cigarette during his lifetime).
Forty days later, on May 14th, 2005, at 11:20AM, my father died.
Despite the infinite pain of grief suffered from his death, my father would want me to offer this passage of Scripture: to be read for strength, and also for any comfort found, during those times when our pain seems most unbearable:
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
And to this Scripture, my father would simply add, "Just pray and ask the Lord to help you."
I wish to personally extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who called, visited, sent cards, letters, flowers, gifts, and most importantly, offered prayer for my father and for our family, during this most difficult time. Words cannot properly express the extent of my appreciation (as well as that of my mother) to all of you. And although time passes, pain suffered from the wounds of loss will not be healed.
Your continued prayer is very much appreciated.
Thank you,
Julie Brinson Streckert
juliestreckert@yahoo.com
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