Morphine is a powerful pain reliever! It is a very controlled drug and rightly so. However, when someone comes to the place in which Roger finds himself, the controls are released somewhat, and it is freely given. As often as he needs it, it is pushed into his circulatory system. Slowly and diluted. Within minutes the results can be seen. Rest comes! Fitful agitation turns into quiet peace. Everyone, especially Roger, breathes more easily. I thank God for morphine. I thank Him that it is available to my beloved friend. I do not want him to have to endure pain, certainly not when such an effective analgesic is readily available.
The staff at Pine Pointe are so caring and attentive to his every need. No waiting. Almost immediate response. The way it should be. The way it can be. The chaplain, Mike Manly, is living out his calling. No doubt about it! Precious, caring, gentle man. The world needs more like him.
Tonight I saw Roger & Barbara’s son, Johnny, enter room 105 for the first time. I could see that he was uneasy. Unfamiliar place. He walked over to his Dad’s bedside, took his left hand, leaned down and kissed his forehead. A long, tender kiss. Then those incredibly wonderful words: I love you, Dad. Another bittersweet moment. On the one hand, very bitter; on the other hand, very sweet. Very bitter. Very sweet. A son’s love for his father. A father’s love for his son. Soft words. Never to be forgotten words. Powerful words spoken in utter weakness.
I said to Johnny: He taught you much didn’t he. He couldn’t speak, but the look on his face was a resounding “yes!” Then I thought: You will treasure everything he taught you for the rest of your life. Treasure of incredible worth! A father’s investment in his son.
As we sat together today, it was obvious to me that we were waiting and watching, as seconds became minutes and minutes became hours. Then it hit me: Before much more time passes, Roger will be ushered into that Place where time doesn’t exist. He will be seated in Christ at God’s right hand, where he will live in the Eternal Now. He will finally find himself in that place called Home.
Before I left his bedside tonight, he told me he loved me. And then he said the strangest thing: “Thank you!” I love you. Thank you. Powerful words. Power made perfect in weakness!
Not even morphine can diminish the power of love made perfect in weakness!
Amen.
Grace Christian Fellowship 
Thank you Mac! Tears coming, so sorry. Love for Roger and his wife. Yes bitter sweet, and sad for Roger’s son. Words cannot express. Thank you Mac. Amen.