Saturday, January 17, 2009

My Visit...

First let me THANK all of you for your prayers and for your sincere words of encouragement in regards to my grandfather.

We were able to visit with him last night. As previously mentioned in my last post, I really wasn't looking forward to this visit due to issues among extended family members. Well, during a conversation with my oldest sister, I asked if anyone knew if he was saved. To be quite honest, I am ashamed that I didn't already know the answer to this question.

My deceased grandmother never missed attending church and I know without a doubt where she is spending eternity. However, I've never actually seen my grandfather in a church until my grandmother's funeral many years ago. In any case, I learned that no one knew for sure if he had been saved. Pretty sad, huh? This sounds awful, but now I dreaded the visit even more. It wasn't that I dreaded what I knew needed to take place during the course of our visit, but I dreaded the potential obstacles that stood in our way.

To spare you all the details;
My grandfather was awake during the time we visited. He seemed like he knew who we were. He attempted to carry on a conversation with us. However, it was very difficult to understand what he was saying. After we spent about an hour visiting him, we closed his bedroom door, shutting us off from the rest of the family. Dirk reminded him how much we loved him, but how God loved him more. Dirk talked a few minutes about Jesus. Eventually, Dirk was able to lead him in the salvation prayer and my grandfather accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Though this visit was a little uncomfortable and the tension seemed to be somewhat heavy in the main sitting room, I am thankful that the Lord still used us.

There's not much more to add to this post, as it would only be thoughts I probably shouldn't share at this time and that I will continue to be in prayer about.

God truly is GOOD and we praise Him for He is worthy to be praised.

41 comments:

Alicia The Snowflake said...

That's great my friend! Truly God is a God of miracles. I pray He will be with your family over the next few days. May He give peace over the whole family situation.

Take care my friend!
I hope you have a blessed Sunday!

April said...

Oh, WOW, Daphine...such fantastic news about your grandfather getting saved! Just goes to show that you're never too old to come to kmow the Lord! Doesn't that bring you such peace and comfort, knowing that when his time does come, you'll have the reassurance that you WILL see him, again? Praise the Good Lord! I know that God moved you and Dirk to visit him today, diffcult as it might have been. Aren't you glad you didn't pass on that opportunity?

Sending lots of hugs and blessings to you this evening! Love ya! ♥

Rebekah said...

How wonderful! Praising God with you my friend! Thank you for sharing his goodness and love, and for sharing this precious story.

Edie said...

I'm so glad you went and talked with your grandpa. I know you are too. All the details are in God's hands and nothing has escaped His attention. Praying for you.

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

To God be the glory! Praise Him!

Stacey said...

I don't know what to say. I'm so proud of Dirk and happy for your grandfather. Something tells me that he may have always had a faith that he didn't share with everyone else.

Everyday Mom Designs said...

Honestly I'm not even religious (and I'm happy with this.. and am happy for anyone who is happy with their religious state), but I know how important this is to you and your family, so I'm glad it was done. Good for all of you. I am sad that he is in such a bad state, but at least he was saved.

Thank you for the comments. I am feeling in a better mood, so that helps things. Things have just been rough, but I am fine now. Thank you again for all your kind words.

Beth E. said...

Oh, Daphine....Praise God, praise God, PRAISE GOD!!! I am sitting here reading your post with tears of joy.

Thank you, Lord, for giving Dirk and Daphine the boldness to lead her grandfather to You. I thank you and praise You for Your saving grace, and for moving every obstacle out of the way for Dirk and Daphine. In our weakness, Father, You are made strong. Thank you for not giving up on us, giving each one of us the opportunity to become Your children! Lord, I pray that through this obedient act of Dirk and Daphine, that others in the family will come to know you as their Savior, and You will rule and reign in their lives. I ask for Your perfect peace to fill the hearts of everyone in the family, and for healing and restoration to take place in their relationships. In Jesus' name I pray...AMEN!

Daphine...I am sitting here with the realization that the song, "It Is Well With My Soul" applies to your precious grandfather. That fact just makes me want to shout!

Blessings to you and your family...

Kristin said...

Wow Daphine! What an amazing visit! I have been feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders lately, as I struggle with the reality that two very close people in my life do not know the Lord. Please pray that I will be able to lead them to Him as you did for your Grandfather.

Anonymous said...

I have chills on my arms! Great news.

Lorrie said...

Daphine thank you for your update! What a hard situation for you. It seems that this visit, no matter how uncomfortable for you was meant to be. I admire you for your courage here and for allowing yourself (and Dirk) to be used by God in this way. Your faithfulness has made an eternal difference to your grandfather!

Lee said...

I'm so glad things went that well! I was worried for you because of the extended family problems.
I'm glad he accepted the lord, and that when he goes he will be in a better place.
I will continue praying for you.

LisaShaw said...

Daphine,

PRAISE THE LORD THAT YOUR GRANDPA IS A PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD!! THANK YOU JESUS!!

Sometimes we have to go into the lions den and face a lot of lions in order to reach the ONE that needs to be saved. We may have to face the fight, the claws, the tension, the problems and the glares believe me I understand but the bottom line is YOUR GRANDPA HAS GIVEN HIS LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST and that's worth anything you had to endure and I know you know that.

I am so glad for him and for you. I pray that GOD's divine intervention will also be seen within the extensions of your family just as I pray the same for mine.

Lots of love.

Denise said...

I love you, and your very much in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Daphine,

I am so glad that you and Dirk made that visit! Now you will have such a peace of mind that he's celebrating eternity with our Lord.

We had the same thing happen when my Grandfather was dying. No one in the family knew whether or now he was saved. My Dad, cousin, & great Aunt witnessed to him but by then he had had so many strokes he couldn't talk. I never really knew whether or not he went to Heaven until I had a dream. Maybe some don't believe in those things but I do. Now I have peace.

Keeping you and your family in my prayers!

Davisix said...

OK Daphine...MAJOR goosebumps! Hugs to you!! God is sooo good. xoxo Ang

Nicolle said...

I am praising our Lord this morning along with your family. That is wonderful news! You and Dirk are wonderful, and God is SO great! Tell Dirk I am also so proud of him...even though he doesn't know me!! :))

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I am crying my eyes out right now, Daphine! Praise God for you and Dirk and your courage! One more saint is going to be in Heaven! :-)

It's funny because sometimes it is harder to witness to family members than it is to people we don't know. My husband led his father in the sinner's prayer before Dad died. He was one of the finest people I have ever known, but he wanted to be sure of his destiny and wanted what so many people talked about, "a personal relationship with Jesus." So, Mr. Magpie prayed with his dad days before he died, and he accepted Christ. It was one of the most poignant moments of my husband's life and mine. :-)

I'm so glad that you had this time with your grandfather, and your grandmother is just beaming down on you! I can see her smiling all the way to Heaven and saying to you, "Bless you, my sweet ones, bless you!"

XO,

Sheila :-)

Heather said...

that's really amazing Daphine. I'm so glad you & Dirk thought to help your grandfather in such an important way. Many blessings to you all.

Laura said...

That is awesome!!! Yeah! I was going to ask last time if he was saved or not, but I forgot. That is so great that you now know where he is going after he passes. God is good!

Brandi said...

How wonderful that he was willing to accept Christ - and that you and Dirk were the ones who helped him at this very special time.

Debra Kaye said...

Daphine,

Praise the Lord!! I am just in awe of how the Lord uses us in situations when we are feeling at our most vulnerable or weak. Your prayers were answered, my friend.

I pray the Lord's peace upon you and your family.

Happy Sunday to you!!

Linda said...

Daphine, this brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful that you and your husband were able to lead your grandfather to Christ...and how wonderful that God allowed you both time alone with him so that he could make that decision. What a beautiful example of being disciples for Christ.

Darlene said...

How wonderful! I am so glad he let you and Dirk help him during this time. ♥

Lindsay-ann said...

Hi Daphine
I am glad to hear you were able to help your Grandfather in this way when you visited him.
You are in my prayers.
Lindsay

Jenn said...

I'm crying now Daph!!! Praise God you and Dirk were able to share with Grandpa and offer him the most precious gift ever!!!

Debra Kaye said...

Daphine,

Happy Monday, my friend. Enjoy your time off with your family!

Hugs to you today!

About the picture ~ Jay took it at sunset of our lake! Isn't the Lord just a beautiful Artist!!

Jill said...

Praise the Lord!

tincanlily said...

It must feel good to write your thoughts out on your blog. A journal of sorts. I hope you all find peace during this trying time for you and your family.
denise

More Than Words said...

Hi Daphine!!

Oh, I'm totally praising the Lord with you!!!! I know that feeling when a family member you've been praying for finally surrenders to the Lord!!!!!!!! God is good & faithful!!!!!! I just have to remember that everything is in His timing, and it's always perfect!!

I can imagine the spiritual warfare w/ your other family members. The enemy would not have like nothing more than to take another soul down.

Awesome, girl!!!

michele said...

I am so thankful your grandfather accepted Christ!! I will continue to pray for you and your family.

Unknown said...

Oh Daphine! This makes me so thankful! What a blessing. I have been praying for him! Praying for you too! Much love!

Lorrie said...

Hi Daphine, just stopping by to wish you a happy Monday! We're expecting some snow here tonight--Yahoo!

Jennifer said...

What a wonderful post..so happy to hear of your grandfather's salvation. Rejoicing with you - as well as the angels singing around the throne! I pray this will bring you great comfort in the days/weeks ahead however they transpire. You are in my prayers.

Thank you for sharing this testimony.

Kim Hancock said...

I've been praying for you and your family, but haven't had a chance to leave comments. Though this is a difficult time you must feel a warmth at having a hand in your grandfather's salvation! I'll keep you in my prayers!

By the way I wasn't thinking for a moment and tagged you. If you don't have time I totally understand! :0)

Anonymous said...

Daphine,
I am so proud of you and Dirk. Sometimes the ones closest to us are the hardest to share with. What you and Dirk did for your grandfather was completely selfless and shows everyone just how deep your love runs. Thank you for such an awesome example. God bless you, my friend!
Jennifer

Elizabeth said...

Glad for that peace!

Michelle said...

Daphine, thank you so much for visiting my blog. I'm so sorry you are going through this and wonderful that your grandfather was saved! It's never easy in a time like this but it's always comforting to know that God is there and will always be there for everyone.

Katie said...

Wow that is awesome. God is proud of Dirk, way to go and share our faith. I think so many christians sit back and say oh no after it is to late. To many sideline christians. Hope your doing okay.
Katie <><

Femin Susan said...

such glad news about your grandfather being saved!yes some kind of goodness is around all and i think that's what you have experienced.
good luck nest time too..

April said...

Hey Daphine,

Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking about you...hope and pray all is well!

Love ya!