Dad’s Salvation

[vc_row][vc_column][nd_options_text nd_options_text_tag=”p” nd_options_text_weight=”lighter” nd_options_text_family=”nd_options_first_font” nd_options_text=”by June Patrick”][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”15″][vc_column_text]It was the beginning of 1990 and we were living in the Orlando area. My brother, Dan, was living in Miami at the time and working for Eastern Airlines. Our dad lived in the Chicago area and occasionally Dan would send him a pass so he could fly down for a visit. Dad had been quite ill with prostate cancer that turned into bone cancer, yet he wanted to see us. So he flew to Miami and Dan drove him up to spend a couple of days with us. He was so weak and frail that I felt this would be the last time I would see him.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]I had prayed for my dad’s salvation for over 20 years. This time I noticed he was more open to speaking about God. He even asked me if you needed to be baptized to go to heaven. I told him, no, then the Holy Spirit helped me remember an example in Luke 23:42-43. One of the two criminals crucified next to Jesus believed in Him. He asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus assured him, saying, “Today you shall be with me in Paradise.” I pointed out how that man wasn’t able to be baptized, join a church or do anything except believe.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]That night I prepared dad’s favorite dinner, pot roast, and the rest of our family joined us. He recently had his 86th birthday, so I baked a chocolate cake, also his favorite, and we sang Happy Birthday. After dinner dad asked my son-in-law, Richard if they could speak privately. At that time Richard was one of Benny Hinn’s pastors at Orlando Christian Center. They went into the other room and closed the door. Richard let me know later that after answering dad’s questions about God, he was able to pray and lead him to Jesus. I was so grateful to Richard and praised God for answering our prayers! It taught me to never give up praying for someone, because God never gives up!

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That visit did turn out to be the last time I saw my dad. As soon as he returned to Chicago he was admitted into the hospital. After that he was at home for a few months under nursing care. I was able to speak to him a few times over the phone to let him know I loved him and was praying for him.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]At that time I was also working at Orlando Christian Center, in the records department. On the wall over my desk at work there hung an interesting painting representing the Holy Trinity. It showed a staircase descending from the clouds of heaven with large pillars on each side and an angel standing there. In the background was the faint image of a face, that seemed to represent God, The Father. Next to it was an image of the face of Jesus. At the very top, there was a dove with open wings, symbolizing The Holy Spirit. One day as I looked up at the painting, I recalled something dad told me many years before. It was when he almost died in surgery from a bleeding ulcer. He had an out of the body experience. He told me he felt his soul leave his body and float up to heaven. However, when he reached the pearly gates he was told they weren’t ready for him yet. Then he woke up. He shared this story with me when I was a teenager and I didn’t even know the Lord, yet, myself.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]At the bottom of this painting in my office was a scripture from Luke 14:17 that read, “Come, for all things are now ready.” I thought to myself, dad wasn’t ready to meet God back then, but now he is. When I came home from work that evening I received a phone call. It was my half sister, Kathy, letting me know dad had passed away. I was amazed at how it was as though God was preparing me and reassuring me, as I looked up at that painting earlier in the day! What a wonderful caring God He is![/vc_column_text][nd_options_spacer nd_options_height=”15″][vc_separator border_width=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][nd_options_team nd_options_layout=”layout-4″ nd_options_title=”June Patrick” nd_options_description=”June started out writing poetry. She was inspired after inviting Jesus into her life nearly 50 years ago. He opened her eyes to a new realm of living!
She loves spending time with her family and especially enjoys her 3 great grandchildren. June’s actually a nanny to her great granddaughter.
Now in her later years, she’s been writing a story about the life she shared with her late husband of 53 years. She felt to leave a legacy for her family and future generations. The purpose being to share the faithfulness of God and great things He has done!”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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