In the late nineties, my dad divorced my stepmom and left town.
I thought I would never see my dad again, but in 2013, I was reunited with my him after a fifteen-year absence. He was in his eighties. After that, I tried to see him as much as I could. Doing so was difficult because he lived six hours away. Every time I went for a visit, I wondered if it would be the last time I’d see him alive.
On Memorial Day weekend of 2017, I went to visit Dad at a nursing home. He was there for rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery. He was in a bad mood because he wanted to go home. When I left, I bent down, looked into his eyes, and tearfully said, “Dad, I love you”—then turned around and left.
On Father’s Day, I called Dad and wished him well. That would be the last time I ever heard his voice. Around 3:30 in the morning on July 26, 2017, he died. A week earlier, he had told my stepmom he felt he would not make it to his birthday.
I can’t be certain, but I think Dad sensed he was about to head to his heavenly home. He knew he was right, and Jesus was ready.
Our earthly lives will end someday—either when we die or when Jesus returns. Being ready is important since we don’t know the day of our death or Jesus’ return.
Be ready to meet Jesus. If you haven’t, ask Him into your heart.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Ken Ebright is a former Minnesotan who lives in Belleville, Illinois. He plays a keyboard, sings in a men’s choir, and does street witnessing.