Friday, December 19, 2008

Goodbye Daddy

On Thursday daddy went on his journey to heaven. Sometimes His breath of life is our last. There were moments sitting at his bedside when daddy would begin to sing. Words muffled, melody fading in and out but never the less a beautiful song of praise as I believe he was seeing into heaven. The last distinguishable words he uttered was when he raised his hands and said Hallelujah! Glory to God.

I can not even begin to think of a more beautiful way to pass from this journey to the next than praising the God of Glory. I am so much like him, and one way is my love for singing (constantly lol) I pray that when my day comes, I too raise my hands in praise and glory and honor to the creator of this universe, the lover of my soul.

Good bye for now daddy. I hope your still singing when I get there! I know that you've always loved the things that I write, but right now I can't wrap my mind around a goodbye letter to you, so if you don't mind I'm going to let MercyMe say it for me.


Bring the Rain MercyMe/ Coming up To Breathe/2006
I can count a million times
People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I’ve gone through

The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You


Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It’s never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you oh Lord

My only shelter from the storms

But instead I draw closer through these times


So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain

But if that’s what it takes to praise You

Jesus Bring the Rain


I am Yours regardless of

The clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what’s a little rain


So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there’ll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that’s what it takes to praise You

Jesus Bring the Rain


I'm forever singing
Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

Is the Lord God Almighty

9 comments:

Kelly said...

Wow. That's beautiful Janet! *hugs*

Anonymous said...

Janet, that is the best you have ever written, it was beautiful. I too hope that when it is my time, I can step from this world to the next I can embrace it with such joy! I love you and wish I was there to give you a warm hug right now.

Anonymous said...

Oh my Janet. This has to be the most beautiful thing I have ever read in my entire life. You are truly one blessed daughter to have this happy ending! You watched your Daddy leave this journey onto the next. Wow!
May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you, Janet. now and always. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Well written Janet. An amazing end to this phase of the journey for your Dad. Peace to you this holiday season.

Unknown said...

Here is his obituary

http://www.legacy.com/TimesUnion/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=121593796

Anonymous said...

I just saw this post, It's beautiful Janet. Love, hugs and blessings to you and your family. I am glad you have peace about this it's an inspiration.

Unknown said...

In response to anyone who felt as though posting lyrics to a song without the permission from the band, I am posting MercyMe's response to me:

Hey there.
Thanks for the comment on the MercyMe blog. We checked out your post and what you have on there is completely fine. We are terribly sorry for your loss and are humbled that you have found comfort in the song.

MercyMe

Emily........ said...

I have to agree with everyone else who has posted here. That's truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever read.
How fantastic that your Dad is with our Lord and Saviour right now. He had that assurance, that hope..........what a blessing.
Sending you much love. XX

Anonymous said...

Janet, thank you for sharing this. You are a wonderful writer and I know why your daddy loved your writing. I'm sure you and Chance made him so proud.

When my dad died six years ago, I found out about an hour before church. It didn't hit me at first and I didn't cry. I guess I was in shock. At church, our worship leader hardly ever uses hymns, but that morning he picked Bill Gaither's hymn "Because He Lives." I broke down in tears when we sang:

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!


I knew that my dad had crossed that river and was no longer in pain. He stepped out of his wheelchair, took off his ventilator tubing, and breathed in the glory of God. Thank you, Jesus.

I know you'll miss your dad as I do mine. You'll have times you pick up the phone to call him about the latest crazy thing Chance has done. And then you'll realize you can't. But, like me, you'll take comfort in the fact that your dad is with Jesus.

Love ya, Janet.