Monday, July 26, 2010

Sad News

I have had quite a weekend. On Saturday, my Mom informed me that she had not heard from my Dad yet that day and that she was quite concerned about him. My Dad is a truck driver and was on his way home. He had called her the night before and told her that he was having a lot of indigestion and heart pain any time he ate. My Mom knew this wasn't good, since we have been down this road before. My Dad had a major heart attack 11 years ago, July 25.

Since my parents communicate through calls and text many times a day, it was unusual that he didn't greet her with his usual good morning text, or reply to any of her calls or texts. By evening, the authorities were involved in Wisconsin, which is where his truck's satellite last tracked him. State troopers in Wisconsin and Minnesota searched all night for him, but he could not be found. Sunday morning, he was officially declared a missing person.

A friend of my Dad's happened to see his truck and Sunday morning, he knocked on the window to see if he could have breakfast with my Dad. When there was no response, he knew something was not right and managed to get into the truck. Sadly, he found my Dad. My Dad had passed away from a massive heart attack. He was lying on his back with his hands on his chest and his Bible at his side. It was open and he had been reading.

This has come as a huge shock, but I feel so sustained by the prayers of many loved ones and friends around the country. I have no anger in me about this as I TRULY, TRULY believe that this was God's plan for his life. I loved him a lot and will miss him more than I can express, but our prayer as a family has always been that God will be glorified no matter what.

No verses come to mind right now, but I feel God's presence in all of this so powerfully. Just before his death, my parents had given me a piece of artwork with this saying: "Faith in God includes faith in His timing." That is so true. God's plan is bigger than mine and I don't see everything. If my life is a tapestry, I am only seeing one side of it right now and God, the weaver, sees the other comleted side. He sees and knows what my life is to become. And so, I will continue to put my trust in Him. I refuse to live in anger about this, even though I know it will be normal to have periods of anger and frustration or misunderstanding.

Please pray for our family right now. This is a difficult time for all of us and a HUGE adjustment for my Mom.

God bless you all.

Jacqui

8 comments:

  1. Jacqui,I really feel for you and your family.May God sustain you through this difficult time

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  2. So sorry about your Dad Jackie, praying for you and your family.

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  3. Jacqui, our thoughts and prayers are very much with you these days. Your post is very inspiring, as I can see that you have completely put your faith and trust in God, despite your sadness. We will continue to pray for peace for you and your family, and that your mom (as well as the rest of your family) will slowly adjust to life without your Dad. May God be very near you and your family.

    Ginger & family

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  4. Jacqui...I am so sorry for the great loss you and your family are experiencing! You have all been on my heart and in my thoughts. As you trust in God and in his ultimate plan may He in turn draw near to you and comfort you and your family like only He can.
    We sang a song in church this weekend called "Refuge", which keeps coming to me. I would like to put it on a cd for you if you don't already have it. To follow that up I would like to share Psalm 62:5-6&8: "I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken....He is my refuge, a rock where I will not be shaken. O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge."

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  5. Jacqui...I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad must have been an amazing man of God. I will be sure to keep you and your family in my prayers.

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  6. Oh Jac...I'm so, so sorry for your loss. I have no words...or verses either but please know that I'm praying for you.

    Cathy

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  7. Hi Jacqui,
    Just heard the sad news yesterday. My brother-in-law went to pick up your Dad's truck from Wisconsin and it took me a bit to make the family connection. So sorry for your loss and we will certainly pray for you and your family in the days ahead.
    Kelvin

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  8. Hi Jacqui,
    So sorry to hear your sad news. I can't imagine what your family is going through. My prayers are with you.
    Robin

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