Comfort from Simeon

Every year, in preparation for Christmas (and, if I happen to have my act together, also for my Christmas letter) I read the different Christmas stories in Matthew and Luke. I didn't really feel like it this year, as my dad had died less than a month before and I was working like crazy at a store in the mall to help out a friend and to make some money to buy gifts, but I found myself doing it anyway, out of habit and with more than a little bit of a pout in my attitude (Fine, God, I'll read this, but I'm NOT going to like it!). God ignored that and graciously comforted me through the words of Simeon in Luke 2 (vs 27):

'Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel'

(Background: Simeon was a prophet who met Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus in the temple courts, having been brought there by the Spirit who had also revealed to him that he would not die (he must have been an older man) until he had seen the Messiah)

As I read Simeon's words, I was overwhelmed with the feeling (to the tune of crying in the mall common area-I probably freaked a few people out :)) that this (letting His servant depart in peace) was what God had done for my dad, as well. His last moments were marked by peace. The room was filled with us, his family, speaking to him softly, telling him he had loved us well and that we love him in return. One minute he was breathing, and the next he was gone. There was no pain or struggle, just peace. In all my imaginings of that scene--and I had over 5 years to contemplate it in my weaker moments--peace was never part of it. Crying, yes. Sobbing and maybe even wailing and collapse, but not peace.

And in months--no, years--of praying for God to heal my dad, my follow-up prayer has always been 'but if that's not Your will, please just wait until he's ready.' Not that anyone is ever completely 'ready,' but not being privy to the inner workings of my Dad's mind and spirit, I was asking that God at least give my dad the time to work out any questions or fears or misunderstandings about Him that he might have. And as He's just taught me through my DTS time to look at these things, things I can't grasp but which fit His desires and character, through a lens of 'Why not?' I have to believe that He answered that prayer.

God is good. Strong. Loving. Comforter. Yea God.

*****
(I'm pretty sure I emailed everyone who reads this blog when my dad died. But just in case, I'm including the email I sent out that night.)

Dear friends,
My dad died today after a five year battle with cancer. He was blessed and sustained by God every day of that time, continually amazing doctors, nurses, friends and family alike with his survival, strength, and positive attitude. God gave him several periods of rest & remission within that time, and allowed him to leave this life peacefully, surrounded by his family. God blessed us richly through him and we will miss him. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement as we’ve ‘walked through the valley of the shadow of death.’ (Ps 23) Many of you have been used by Him to comfort me, and my family, and we praise God for you.

I ask that you would continue to pray for us as we grieve, that those of us who are believers would do so in a way that’s healthy but still glorifying to God, and that those who are not believers would be drawn to Him in their grief.

Thank you, and may God bless you.

Ps 116:15 ‘Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints’