Live like you’re not needed.
It’s been 16 years.
16 years of life with my Dad and now 16 years of life without him. And I’m still learning lessons from his life. Today would have been his 73rd birthday.
Live like you’re not needed.
Let me explain.
My dad passed away when I was 16 from brain cancer. Did I need a dad? YES! But would I melt away without one?
I grieved deeply for my dad. I was jealous of kids with parents that held hands, and kids that complained about their parents. I cried long and I cried hard wishing for the smell of cough drops and cappuccino which were his favorite things.
He was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 45, had to retire from the field of dentistry which he absolutely loved. He no longer could ski, drive, run marathons or even ride a bike well any longer. Also three things which he absolutely loved.
When I was 16, my dad was on hospice in our home. I would go to classes, piano lessons, or babysit and come home to the hospice nurse in our driveway, church family there with meals, or an old friend to sit and sing with my dad.
One morning, I offered to feed my dad some cereal while my mom took some much needed time for herself. Feeding my dad Cheerios was something I could do. My dad had not spoken in over two weeks as the cancer took over. As I fed him a spoonful, I noticed tears in his eyes. I panicked! I thought he had choked and I grabbed his arm, “Dad, are you ok?!” He smiled weakly and placed his hand on mine and said very slowly and softly, “happy”.
I broke. Here was a man who was known for his servant heart, his multiple trips to Mexico providing free dental care, raising 7 children, providing free dentistry to missionaries here in the states and to those in need, walking from house to house in our neighborhood handing out Jesus videos, and going multiple times a year to a boys prison in Indiana to share the gospel. Was he needed? Didn’t God NEED him!! As a 16 year old, I didn’t understand why this was happening! Everything was taken from him! Why was he HAPPY!?”
The answer lies in Psalm 63:3-4
Are we needed? NO. Only Christ is needed.
“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. So will I bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”
My dad lived knowing that Gods loving kindness was better than life itself or any love he was able to give. He praised God while he had breath, and as long as he had life. God enabled him to lift his open hands and heart in thankfulness even in the midst of excruciating life events.
Are we needed?
We can be ENABLED to do unbelievable things for God but HE IS THE ONLY ONE NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH HIS WILL. We can be available to listen, to speak, to hand out a video, to wrap our arms around someone when it’s needed, to adopt a child, to love our children the best we can, to protect our children the best we can. But it’s not because we are loving, giving, careful or gentle enough. ITS BECAUSE CHRIST’s loving kindness is enough!!!! ITS BETTER THAN LIFE ITSELF.
A Loss For Words 