Living a Parable - UBM [David Eells]

I had lunch with Pop in early July, shortly after surgery removed a section of his tongue and the neighboring gland. He seemed proud of how he received the virus which led to his cancer. He looked forward to getting through the chemotherapy quickly, boastful that his position as a teacher was secure, as he could not be replaced: "No one can do my job".

For some reason, he had been suffering from extreme dizziness. The quick fix until he went back to the doctor was an eye patch. This gave him a chance to play pirate as we ate fancy pizza.

As Pop told me about his plans for the future, I tried to think of Scripture to share with him, but none came to mind. I listened, I thought and I prayed.

While we ate, he also caught me up on the details of my stepmother's recent stroke. He was quite impressed how their God let her have a stroke before she got in morning freeway traffic, concluding, "Someone was sure lookin' out for that girl!"

At this, I could think of a ton of Scripture, but none that would share the grace of God, so I said nothing.

Finally, toward the end of lunch, I thought of one appropriate verse to share. I inquired in my heart whether I should speak (and just as I heard many years ago when I asked if I should command demons out of my brother-in-law), I heard, "No".

When I was a kid, Pop provided me with many advantages - a home, access to cars, a pool, a job, a trade, season tickets. Sometimes he even gave me good advice. In this world, he was a pretty good dad (from Orange County, California in the 1980s) and I could share some stories on that note.

And as much as I love my Pop, I can't think of too many people who loved their flesh more than he loved his. And he did: food, wine, movies, plays, concerts, sporting events, travel, Disneyland (again and again and again), and things, things and more things. And he loved good ol' Catholic boys and the God of the one-hour mass, as he put it, "In and out". He was a good-natured guy who knew everything and with an I.Q. 20 points higher than mine, I could "tell" him nothing.

When I got word that the dizziness was from brain cancer, I knew my Pop was done. The virus which led Pop to cancer, led him to chemo, then pneumonia and then a heart attack, just a few months short of his 68th birthday, on 8/13/13.

{Luk.12:15} Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man`s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. {30} For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

{Mar.8:34} And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. {35} For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel`s shall save it. {36} For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?

{1Co.10:14} Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

{Ecc.12:13} [This is] the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole [duty] of man.

Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be unto you all who are in Christ.

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