Larry's Going Home Soon

 Dear Friends,

I wanted to take this time to share what the Lord Jesus is doing in my family. Do not quit praying for your loved ones to come to know Jesus as their Savior. It may take years before they get to that point of need in their life and admit they need forgiveness.. 

My brother is on his death bed now as I type this. Cancer is trying to take his life, and probably will.  It has been working for years now. First, he had a kidney removed due its conquer. Then spots kept coming into his bladder. The doctor would scrape it out. Now cancer has spread and is in 90% of his liver. Beside all of that, he had a stroke years ago and lost his wife on top of that. Needless to say, Larry has had a rough road. but pride stood in the way to the narrow way-Jesus.

Despite all of that, he has had many regrets in his life. Except for his three kids, all the other family has deserted him. I would pray for him, but he led a different lifestyle from mine and I quit visiting him, regretfully. Although, every time he had surgery, I would visit him in the hospital, in rehab, take him food, etc. I was civil, just not very forgiving and loving. Doing my sister duty, you know.

Sunday afternoon, my husband and son went to visit Larry in the hospital. I knew his time was short and I was very blunt. I asked him if he was ready to see Jesus and if he had asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins. He answered yes. Then he did something shocking-he asked me to forgive him. Tears flowed down my face and his as we forgave each other and shared the love of Jesus in our hearts. What is past is in the past now. I just wish he had not waited so long to make amends-wasted years. 

Yet, God works things out for our good and His glory. Cancer may have the last control of his body, but not his soul. Larry went on to apologize to my husband and son, too. Also, he dictated apologetic letters to other family members. What an evidence of Jesus changing a sin-stricken heart. So, I will probably not be posting on our Bible study the rest of the week. I want to spend what time we have together with my brother.

Do not give up on praying for your loved ones. God is in control. It may take cancer intruding in a life that brings them to repentance. I am on a mission now. Serving my family with Jesus' love. So please pray for my family during this tough time. 

Seven of the eight cousins got together for som walks down memory lane, childhood excursions on my parents' farm. What fond memories they had together. It was soothing to my aching soul at the loss of my brother.

The grave isn't going to have the victory. There is grace and mercy ready to be poured out on the lost soul. Forgiveness and love abounds in our Savior, Jesus.

In His Name,

Linda