My Dad - Lyle W. Myers, Sr A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29
We took my dad home from a three month hospital stay on a cold, snowy winter's morning and made him as comfortable as possible. There was nothing more the doctors could do so we were determined to make his last days as special as he was!
On a Wednesday evening at around 4:30 pm he called me and asked me this question, "Judy, would you come over and cut my hair?" I said, "Sure dad, I'll be over tomorrow morning after I get the boys off to school." He went on, "No, I would like you to do it tonight."
I thought why tonight of all nights?? I had to get supper on the table, make sure the boys were ready for a Royal Ranger's meeting, get new snow tires on the van and get ready for church. Church started at 7:00 pm... so I only had approximately two and a half hours to get everything done.
"Dad, I can't do it tonight, I explained all the things I had to do and told him I would be there first thing in the morning." However, that still wasn't good enough and once again he said, "I need you to cut my hair tonight."
I thought for a moment and then said, "Dad, where in the world are you going that you need your hair cut tonight? Why can't it wait until morning?" I heard the let down in his voice as he said, "Okay, we'll see." and we hung up.
My dad died in his sleep that night.
And, those were not the words I would have chosen to say if I had known they were to be my last words to my dad!!
All too often we say things without thinking or at times we say things we really don't mean. WORDS are such an important and relevant part of our lives, still we often take them for granted and aren't as careful with them as we should be!
I don't know if my dad had a feeling something was up and he needed his hair cut. I don't know if he knew he was going to die and meet his heavenly father that night!
What I do know is, we need to use our words in such a way that people know:
Friends, there will come a day when our words with our family, friends, co-workers, employees, etc., will end. What will we have said to INSPIRE, EMBOLDEN, MOTIVATE, ENCOURAGE, and TOUCH their lives?? Will they know we cared enough to PRAY daily for them??
The first words I speak EVERY MORNING are "Thank You, Lord for allowing me to wake up today!" I say that because there are many days when my heart rate is in the low 30's and my blood pressure is 60/30 or less.
This morning I opened my eyes to see my heart monitor flashing and it hit me like a slap in the face. I wondered:
If you are a part of my life, whether you are a close family member, a relative I don't see very often, a first rate friend I see often or even a distant online friend... I want you to know I CARE ABOUT YOU and I LOVE YOU ALL FOR WHO YOU ARE!!
Even if you could care less about me, or we've not had the greatest relationship, I STILL CARE and LOVE YOU.
Simply said, we will never know everyone intimately, but we have family, close friends, neighbors, associates, co-workers, companions and acquaintances and I think it is VERY IMPORTANT for each of you to know, YOU ARE SPECIAL... each of you in your own way and I KNOW that because God has seen fit for us to cross paths here on earth!
One day, the day I don't wake up... I hope and pray you all know and remember I LOVE YOU and YOU have ALL ENRICHED MY EARTHLY LIFE!! I also hope and pray that I will meet you once again in our final heavenly home, where we will have forever to know and love each other!!!
G'nite all... sleep well!
Proverbs 15:1
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29
We took my dad home from a three month hospital stay on a cold, snowy winter's morning and made him as comfortable as possible. There was nothing more the doctors could do so we were determined to make his last days as special as he was!
On a Wednesday evening at around 4:30 pm he called me and asked me this question, "Judy, would you come over and cut my hair?" I said, "Sure dad, I'll be over tomorrow morning after I get the boys off to school." He went on, "No, I would like you to do it tonight."
I thought why tonight of all nights?? I had to get supper on the table, make sure the boys were ready for a Royal Ranger's meeting, get new snow tires on the van and get ready for church. Church started at 7:00 pm... so I only had approximately two and a half hours to get everything done.
"Dad, I can't do it tonight, I explained all the things I had to do and told him I would be there first thing in the morning." However, that still wasn't good enough and once again he said, "I need you to cut my hair tonight."
I thought for a moment and then said, "Dad, where in the world are you going that you need your hair cut tonight? Why can't it wait until morning?" I heard the let down in his voice as he said, "Okay, we'll see." and we hung up.
My dad died in his sleep that night.
And, those were not the words I would have chosen to say if I had known they were to be my last words to my dad!!
All too often we say things without thinking or at times we say things we really don't mean. WORDS are such an important and relevant part of our lives, still we often take them for granted and aren't as careful with them as we should be!
I don't know if my dad had a feeling something was up and he needed his hair cut. I don't know if he knew he was going to die and meet his heavenly father that night!
What I do know is, we need to use our words in such a way that people know:
- We care enough about them to encourage them onward in their endeavors.
- We realize the blessings we have in our family, friends, acquaintances and all they truly mean to us!
- And, we need to let those we LOVE... KNOW IT!!
- Most important, I want you all to know I keep you in my heart, thoughts and prayers each and everyday!
Friends, there will come a day when our words with our family, friends, co-workers, employees, etc., will end. What will we have said to INSPIRE, EMBOLDEN, MOTIVATE, ENCOURAGE, and TOUCH their lives?? Will they know we cared enough to PRAY daily for them??
The first words I speak EVERY MORNING are "Thank You, Lord for allowing me to wake up today!" I say that because there are many days when my heart rate is in the low 30's and my blood pressure is 60/30 or less.
This morning I opened my eyes to see my heart monitor flashing and it hit me like a slap in the face. I wondered:
- Had I told my friends how much I appreciate and love them?? Did they know their cards, phone calls and even their kind words and smiles were so very important to me??
- Did my family know how much I LOVE THEM ALL?? Did they know I care about what was happening in their lives and did I do enough to make their lives just a little bit sweeter??
- Was I kind hearted when I spoke to a stranger?? Did my words covey a genuine caring, and loving attitude??
If you are a part of my life, whether you are a close family member, a relative I don't see very often, a first rate friend I see often or even a distant online friend... I want you to know I CARE ABOUT YOU and I LOVE YOU ALL FOR WHO YOU ARE!!
Even if you could care less about me, or we've not had the greatest relationship, I STILL CARE and LOVE YOU.
Simply said, we will never know everyone intimately, but we have family, close friends, neighbors, associates, co-workers, companions and acquaintances and I think it is VERY IMPORTANT for each of you to know, YOU ARE SPECIAL... each of you in your own way and I KNOW that because God has seen fit for us to cross paths here on earth!
One day, the day I don't wake up... I hope and pray you all know and remember I LOVE YOU and YOU have ALL ENRICHED MY EARTHLY LIFE!! I also hope and pray that I will meet you once again in our final heavenly home, where we will have forever to know and love each other!!!
G'nite all... sleep well!
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