Grandpa Aker

Two days ago, a massive earthquake leveled the capital city of Haiti. This is horrible and incomprehensible, especially as we learn more about the scope of the devastation. Thousands still trapped and awaiting rescue. Tens of thousands feared dead. Buildings and homes leveled. This is unimaginable. But it's a long way from here . . .

Not so far away, peacefully resting (thanks to the morphine), my grandfather lay breathing his last breaths. In some ways, it feels horrible and incomprehensible. Only months ago, he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor that was causing him to lose balance and become confused. Only weeks ago, I was in his house visiting with him. How can life just all of a sudden be gone?

Natural thoughts when dealing with the unnatural-ness of death. We weren't created to die; we certainly weren't created to lose loved ones to this fierce enemy. Still this enemy attacks daily - sometimes in massive and far-sweeping ways, sometimes in small and localized ways. Regardless, the result is the same. Those who lose loved ones to death are grieved. And rightly so.

Sitting across from my grandfather at his dining room table just a couple weeks ago, I looked into his eyes and knew I wouldn't look into them very many more times in this life. So that's what we talked about. I "owed him a conversation about God". He wanted to know what was in store for him. He also had a lot to say about the "holy-roller Christians" he knew from his past. Grandpa Aker knew that there was something more to this life than putting on a happy face and "acting like a Christian". He knew there was more to come after this life. He knew that apart from God being merciful to him, he wouldn't have a chance at it. He knew he had made mistakes in his life and wondered what God thought of him.

Listening to my grandfather speak of faith and God and life and death, I was overcome with the opportunity to share the hope I have as a Christian. The same hope he had as a Christian; a hope he just needed to hear again, for it had been a long time since he last heard it. God is merciful and chooses to have mercy on us. With our faith placed squarely on Jesus, we walk right past death to life. This is my grandfather's faith! Grandpa Aker now walks in the realization of his faith - he's walking with Jesus!

I love that imagery - Grandpa Aker and Jesus walking together. It takes me back to days gone by. Days spent in the Black Hills of South Dakota at Grandpa's cabin. Walking on trails, splitting wood, riding four-wheelers, throwing horseshoes, mowing grass, sitting in front of the fire, and watching Crocodile Dundee, to whom Grandpa bore an uncanny resemblance.

In contrast to the struggle of his last days, I am excited, comforted, and grateful to know that Grandpa Aker is at peace with Jesus and that I will see him again. This is no "holy-roller Christianity", just sheer peace and comfort that comes from a gracious and merciful God.

Even though buildings may be falling down and loved ones are dying, our gracious and merciful Lord provides a Gospel of hope and comfort.