"Home Sweet Home"

            I received a phone call this afternoon from my mom who was calling me from the emergency room at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York.  She calmly said that my dad was taken by ambulance to the ER because he was experiencing intense abdominal pain, an abnormal heart beat, and trouble with his breathing.  My dad was admitted to the hospital back in August for similar symptoms and had then suffered a slight heart attack due to the extreme pain he was experiencing.  We all thought that this was over…you just never know what a day will bring forth.   As I listened to my mom’s report she said that dad said to tell me the he had something very important to tell me.  She then said three words: “Home sweet home.”  “Mark” she said, “Your father said that you would know what this means.”  I told her I knew what those words meant and thanked her.  I told her I would be praying for dad and to keep me posted as soon as she knew anything.  I asked her how she was doing and she assured me she was doing fine as long Aunt Marge was with her (her identical twin!  I can’t tell them apart).  I told her I would call her right back because I knew that time was of the essence.  Two things needed to take place quickly.  I needed to give my mom the impression that I was fine with waiting for her updates while I stayed put in Pennsylvania and I needed to make a quick call to the airlines to see if I could get a flight.  Since I fly almost weekly, US Air has been very helpful getting me an emergency flight when I’ve needed it and they were able to do it again…except the flight was going to depart in thirty minutes…there was no way I could make it.  So I quickly began the drive to Rochester.  Why?  The words “Home sweet home” come from the book Christies Old Organ.  If you have read this book you would know that these are the words of a man who is about to die and desires to be with Lord but not quite sure how to get there.  When I first read Christies Old Organ ten years ago, I cried through most of the book. It is truly one of the most powerful Lamplighter books concerning leading both young and old to Christ.  Not knowing if a loved one knows the Savior is one of the most difficult tensions in this life.  I have tried to share Christ with my dad for thirty years but to no avail. But about twelve weeks ago my dad started reading our Lamplighter books.  I don’t know what prompted this but I was elated!  My mom even called a few times to tell me that she felt neglected because all he was doing was reading.  I was so thankful…his heart seemed to be turning.  After about five hours of driving I arrived at the hospital.  I was allowed in the ER to find my dad in wreathing pain.  When he saw me he looked up with his oxygen mask and said, “Mark, I’m going home sweet home!”  That moment was the most beautiful and touching moments of my life.  With a smile, even while bearing so much pain, my dad looked at me and said, “Mark, I never realized I was so far away from God.”   Then he said that while reading Christies Old Organ, he prayed and told the Lord what an awful sinner he was and to save him from his sins, so he could go to “home sweet home.”  He then told me to take good care of mom.  My dad knows the Lord! I will see my dad again…we will be spending forever and ever together.  I can’t wait for the day.  For thirty years I have been praying for this day…and God has answered.  Never give up praying and trusting.

            As I am typing, my dad is much more stable but still in ICU.  We just finished talking about him hanging around for at least another ten to fifteen years…he said, he was really ready to go be with the Lord.  I have other plans…we will have to see what the will of the Lord is.  I wish everyone could know my dad…I have never known anyone quite like him…he really has been one of the greatest dads a son could have.  And I really believe that the Lord is going to keep him around a little longer…now that he knows the Lord, I can see how much of an influence he is going to be for Christ with his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the many students that will be a part of Lamplighter Ministries in the future.  “Lord please allow my dad to be used in your service, working together with me, for your Kingdom and righteousness. Thank you for helping him see his need for Your Son, Jesus.  And please use my mom too…she is the greatest cook!”