Zachary Paul, “When do you want to see Jesus?”

Zach, “When do you want to see Jesus?” Do you remember, Zachary when Mommy asked you that question during your recent hospital stay? In asking this question and ruminating about your physical health status, it became clear that palliative care should be your treatment goal. Since admitting you to Northwest Ohio Hospice, Mommy and Daddy are pleased with all the wonderful services they are providing, and we thank God for them.

Zachary, Daddy and Mommy do not know how long we will have you. We may have you for some time, or we may have you for a shorter time. Let’s not be overly anxious about these details, but let’s live one day at a time casting all of our anxieties on Him. We praise God emphatically for His faithfulness and need to be quick to give ourselves entirely to Him, for His care for us is perfect. In these days of trial, we ask others to pray that we live not according to our own desires in life, but according to the will of God and for His glory.

Zachary Paul, Daddy and Mommy are grateful to God to have you as a gift, and you are indeed a blessing to all. Daddy’s desire is that you to know this word “gift” well. See the forest through the trees, my dear son as the promises coming your way through Jesus Christ are far greater than any gifts conceivable to mankind and will surely overcome the limitations you have now. Zach, your union with Jesus is secure and this means you will spend all of eternity with Him in perfect fellowship. Let me clarify Zach. There is coming a day when your body will be raised, fully redeemed and made whole. In your perfect body, you will enjoy God in perfect fellowship forever, and ever, and ever!

Daddy quite often meditates on these truths for comfort because Daddy sometimes feels daunted by your medical diagnosis. But for as severe as your smooth brain, for as threatening as the arachnoid cyst near your brainstem, and as numerous as your heart defects, so much greater is the power of God who will overcome. Daddy finds joy when he thinks about the promises of a redeemed body for eternal and perfect fellowship with God. But, what can a father say about such gifts for his son, the greatest gifts and promises imaginable? Daddy breaks down from time to time, overwhelmed by the blessings. Zachary, do not think for a minute that Daddy is in despair. These tears are tears of joy rooted in the Gospel and the hope that the Good News brings. What a hope to remember for sure!

Zach, let’s be quick to reach out and take hold of God and trust Him for everything and live for Him completely, for He has reached out and taken hold of us. God is working in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. In faith and by His power, Daddy and Mommy seek to continuously aim to live our lives that might bring honor and glory to His Name. We take responsibility for this, and it is certainly not easy. Let’s do this taking one day at a time, and ask others to help us through prayer.

Love,

Daddy