I spent the majority of today (11/25/13) with Roger and Barbara at the Med Center. It was one of those days when I wish each of you could have walked along side me. You would have been blessed and then some! To put it mildly, in Roger’s extreme weakness, God’s power was perfected–time and time again.

The picture of his nurse bending down giving him his last shot or morphine before he left for Pine Point Hospice was one that brought everyone to tears. It was her tears that brought everyone’s tears!

I watched his grands kiss him and walk away with eyes brimming with tears, not really knowing what to say or do. The smile on his face for them was more than beautiful. It was obvious that they know what a grandfather’s love is all about. It was just as obvious that Roger knows what it means to be a grandfather and to be loved by his grands.

I watched Travis and Kathy sit by his bedside and struggle with their own emotions, knowing that this incredible friendship was about to come to an end on this earth. Travis and Kathy really love Roger & Barbara. Most of you probably do not know it, but Travis has been a true friend to them, and especially to Roger. He has served them–faithfully–expecting nothing in return. What he got in return was a whole lot of love!

I saw his beautiful daughters struggle with their own emotions, wanting to hold on but knowing that it is time to “let go and let God.” Those are easy words to type, but they are not so easy to express with sincerity.

I was able to connect Bob White with Roger via my cell phone after he arrived at Pine Pointe. Bob will never forget their conversation, not one word of it. The Whites and Millers are real friends. Only Heaven will reveal all that the Whites have done in service to the Millers, and all of it out of the stuff called love–the real kind of love. I watched Roger as he spoke with Bob and I am pretty sure I knew what he was thinking. I also think I know what Bob was thinking.

Barbara has had one of the toughest days of her life. Truthfully, it has been bittersweet. On the one hand very bitter, and on the other hand, very sweet. She was loved and encouraged today. It was good. Very good! She is precious. Very precious. She is counting on all of us to journey with her for the long haul. I assured her that we would. With Joy. Much joy!

I sat with Damian, the Miller’s son-in-law, for a while tonight. We talked. I love that Rabbi. More than he knows. The Spirit of the Living God rests upon Him. He love me. And I love the fact that he does. Together we will do what Rabbis and pastors do in times like this one. God will be glorified. You can count on that.

Roger wanted to hear a few songs before he left for hospice: He’s Been Faithful to Me; His Eye is on the Sparrow; and I Can Only Imagine. Now listen! While I played those songs on my cell phone, we, all of us, saw faith becoming sight. It was an incredible moment! His power was made perfect in weakness! And then some!

The smile on Roger’s face, even in the midst of terrible pain, was a glimpse into the face of Jesus. Really!

I am not the timekeeper but I do know this: Roger is taking his last few steps on his journey to Jesus and they are getting faster and faster. Soon he will be running. To Jesus! He will finally be Home. And he will hear what his heart has longed to hear: Welcome Home you good and faithful servant. Welcome Home! The angels will break forth in Roger’s favorite hymns and all of Heaven will rejoice. Jesus will take him by that hand and seat him at God right hand, where he will live forever in Christ. Redeemed! Redeemed! Redeemed!

I am blessed and then some!