Nine years ago I wrestled with my emotions when my mother went through the valley of the shadow of death and went to be with the Lord.  Now I am in Florida with my father as he is approaching that same valley .  Two weeks ago the doctors told him he had cancer spreading all over inside of him - and he probably only has two months to live.  When he talked to me over the phone, he told me he had gotten the best news he had heard in years.  He is so excited about checking out of this world and going home to the Lord.  Best of all will be seeing Jesus.  But he is also looking forward to seeing his sweetheart next. 

What a blessed hope.  My dad is threatening us that he will be mad at us if we pray that he would get better.  This is what he has been looking forward to for years.  And he can hardly wait.  That's why Jesus came into our world - to destroy the one who has the power of death (Satan) and to set us free from the bondage he has in all of our lives through this fear of death.  Praise the Lord the fear is gone.  We may not like the process of the journey through the valley.  But we can hardly wait to get to the other side!! 

And this Sunday my dad is going to be the featured speaker at his "memorial service" at his beloved Sebring Grace Brethren Church here in Florida.  He has lived life to the full.  And he wants to go out with a bang!!  No singing the blues.  For him it's party time!!  He ready to go on the most exciting journey of his life.  And it's the one that never ends!! 

 So even though it's hard and it's going to get harder for us who are saying goodbye, we have this hope.  He's going home!!  And some day we can too!!