Last Words

Last Words


The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words:

“He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!”

At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 5:13 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION


It’s been about fourteen years, so some things are harder to remember now, but the words from this praise song could have been the last words I said to my father. He and I were never big talkers, to each other that is. I think most of my life I was so afraid of him there was no room for intelligent conversation, just preservation. My dad was in the hospital and a few days before he was released, I went to visit. I wanted to talk to him about God so badly, but I was really nervous. We sat speechless for some time. Then I just came out with, “Daddy, you know God loves you right? No matter how or when you decided to leave him, he’s never left you. He is good, isn’t he? He has been good to us.”
Dad never said a word, but his tears spoke volumes. Volumes I am still not sure I really understand. Not long after that, he would leave the hospital only to return catatonic till his death.

Dear God I hope that was the right thing to say. I hope it was enough . . .

My brother, Curtis, spoke to my dad about the Lord just before he slipped away from us and he says dad is saved. I do not know if my dad is in Heaven or not. If so, thank God for Curtis!
My last words to my dad may have blown it. I tried to speak to others about God before they passed on too, like Uncle Rick and John. I wanted my last words to them to be meaningful and about God. I do not know if they are in Heaven either. But they do not bother me as much as the ones that I never spoke to at all about God. What about Tom, my grandparents, Aunt Caroline, two uncles and my father-in-law? I hope God has forgiven me for not speaking up. Fear held me silent too long and that may be the biggest thing I regret in this life.

I pray the last words you have for family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and even people you don’t know or the ones your hate will be words of wisdom, words that speak life, words that lead others to Jesus, because God is good! His faithful love does endure forever. And I think people need to know that.