This is a hard time for his family because although we know David is in Heaven, he is already greatly missed. He was a man who had a solid faith in Jesus and unwavering love of not only Jesus, but his family. He welcomed me into this family when I married his oldest son and made it clear I was then a beloved daughter. I never doubted his words and he showed me over the years his words were worthy of trust, and true.
My husband's father was the one who cried at weddings, cried at the birth of grandchildren, cried at the sorrows his family suffered, cried at the joys in their lives. He made great effort to be at all the grandchildren's sporting events, my children's fair competitions, and he rejoiced in the accomplishments of his many great-grandchildren.He prayed for any & all of his family during any tribulations.
My husband's father was born at home in Tacoma in 1927, and in the same neighborhood he had a home built ( by his brother) for his family ~ a wife and 6 children. In this very home he and my husband's mother raised their six children , celebrated and enjoyed life, and died ( she died November 2012), lovingly attended by their 6 children. Their 4 daughters (my husband's sisters) were the primary care-givers.What a blessing, to be able to die in your own home, cared lovingly by the children you raised.
I do not have adequate words to express my love for my father-in-law. I already miss him terribly.He was a humble man who gave all credit for his children being godly to God. As I sat by his bed while he was dying he spoke non-stop about Jesus. He said John 3:16 was his favorite verse. He held my hand, and he seemed more concerned about his family than himself.What an example of all that is good and right because of Jesus.
"Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons ( and daughters) is their fathers." Proverbs 17:6 ~My father-in-law, the father of my husband, the grandfather of my children, the great-grandfather of my grandchildren exemplified this.God is so good to us, praise Him !
prayers for you and your extended family. he sounds like he was a wonderful man and more men should be just like him. faith is a great comfort in these times, knowing you will one day see him again, not as a father (in law) but as a brother in Christ.
ReplyDeleteI found the following to be a great comfort to me when I lost my mother in November. She was only 65. God used her to reach out to her children and introduce us all to our savior =)
I pray it brings you some peace as well!
"The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." Isaiah 57:1-2
God's timing is perfect and we can find much comfort in trusting He knows what He is doing =)
Oh Kathy, you and your family have my condolences; the days are going to be difficult for everyone. The verse Rachel just gave you is wonderfully perfect; another is Psalms 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
ReplyDeleteKathy, You, your family and Alice are long time friends. I feel as if I know your fil because of your posts. This is a lovely tribute to "dad". May God bless each of you. Sending my love and deepest sympathy.
ReplyDeleteDear Kathy, it's such a heart-warming post about your father-in-law...you were very blessed to have such a wonderful "dad"!
ReplyDeleteI pray for you and your family!
So sorry for the loss and relishing your description of a good man - grief is difficult and no platitudes from me about it being easier because of this or that - it is hard and bless y'all for going through it again so soon after your MIL graduated on to heaven.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and your family! Sorry to hear of your loss, we just lost my Mom's Mom in September.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amy
Kathy, I cannot help but envy your having been put in a family like this. He must truly be a man in a million. He recognized the peach of a daughter he got in you too. It will be hard not having him, and I see the blessings he has bestowed on his family because of his strong faith. The world could use many, many more like him. Praising God for him, and praying for his comfort and consolation for his loved ones.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
What a lovely tribute. I'm sorry for your loss. Deb
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Kathy... he sounded like a real man of faith. This is the second loss in a very short time for your family and my heart breaks for you even though I know your loved ones are in a better place.
ReplyDeleteMy precious Mother passed away on this day 8 years ago and even though my spirit rejoices that she is no longer in pain, I still miss her every day...
I'll certainly be praying that God puts His arms around you and your family in the days to come.
I am so sad to hear that Kathy. But what a full basket of blessings and memories your family has to carry with you daily. What a godly influence he was on your family. I know he will be greatly missed and it will be difficult. We will be praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteRuth
So very sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful man. How lucky you all were to be part of his family. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to know there are faithful men who follow God and lead their family in the way of the truth. It sounds like you will miss him bunches. So sorry.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for the loss of your father-in-law. I will be praying for you guys. How wonderful that you all had him for so long. How hard it must be to have lost your mother-in-law and him in such a short period of time.
ReplyDeleteYes, having a home death, surrounded by family is a beautiful way to die. My father-in-law and my husband's grandmother and my grandmother were all able to go that way.
Kathy M.
Prayers for you all from us Askrens. I am so sad for you all. It is so hard to see an era coming to an end so much is lost when they are gone. Much love and hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteYou were very lucky to have him in your life. You are still very lucky to have his son, his grandchildren and grandchildren to remind you of him. They are his legacy.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your father-in-law. He sounds like he lived an upstanding life and was an excellent role model for his family. I'm sure he will be missed, but he was indeed a blessing to your family.
ReplyDeleteOh so sorry to hear about your FIL, Kathy. I felt the same way about my own FIL. We lost him 3 years ago. My heart goes out to you and your family. My FIL was so tender-hearted - sounds alot like yours. He loved the Lord, too. I know your FIL is with the Lord now and you will see him again! Prayers for you all, Kathy...
ReplyDeleteDearest Kathy, I pray that God will comfort you and all the family. This post made me cry. What a wonderful man to have as a Father-in-law. To call you his own and treat you as a beloved daughter is priceless. Absolutely a true and precious gift to treasure.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments as you visited homehaven about my son's divorce. Truly appreciate your kindness and understanding.
God bless,
d
Prayers are with you and your family! So very sorry. Hugs, kathleen
ReplyDeleteKathy and Jim, God bless and comfort you. This is very hard, I know. He sounds like a wonderful man and I know he is greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteSo, so sorry! I know how blessed you were to have such wonderful people as inlaws because I was too! My inlaws have been gone many years now, but I often think of them and how fortunate and blessed I was to have people treat me with such kindness and love. They were people who lived out their faith quietly and steadfastly--always serving others.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord be with you and your family in this time of grief. The God of all comfort--He truly is.
V
Kathy and family, Am so sorry for your loss of your precious father-in-law. How your hearts must grieve his presence in your lives. How for now,a second great light has been dimmed in your family and so very soon after your mother-in-law went to the Lord last year. What a beautiful tribute you wrote for David. There are no words to comfort in such a great loss. Only HE can know the depth of your sorrow and only HE can truly be your comforter during this grieving time. I will hold your husband, all the family up in prayer. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteFor if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:8
ReplyDeleteThis is how your dear father in law lived his life, such a tribute to a wonderful man. He is now with his beloved wife in the arms of the Lord.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband and family.