Does Jesus Care?

I have been away for awhile – once again life has interfered with my ability and desire to write. My last post, just days before Christmas, talked about how Jesus gives God a face – a face with tears streaming down it as he shares life’s pain. When I wrote that, I had no idea how I would need those words in the days ahead.

Christmas was beautiful for us this year; the best we have had in over a decade. We dialed the gift giving way back, spending time with cherished friends and family. Christmas carols rang throughout our house and laughter was the main ingredient as we celebrated Christ's birth. It was all so good.

And then the next day, December 26th, I received a call from my sister. My Father had had a heart attack and was not expected to live. With my husband, and my children, I raced to his side. I stayed there with my sisters and we held each other and held our Daddy as he struggled to live. And at a little after 1:00 in the morning on the 28th, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, he breathed his last and stepped through the front door of heaven.

My Dad was a wonderful Christian man and I loved him. I was much closer to him than to my mother, who passed just over 10 years ago, so this was incredibly hard for me. And it sort of capped the year I had had. If I am being honest I was tempted to be bitter and to ask why I had to go through yet another heartache. But my own words came sweetly back to me in the wee hours of the morning as I sat huddled and alone in a corner on a cold hospital floor, trying to wrap my head around what had happened. I clearly saw Jesus’ face – and could not miss his tears. And I was comforted.

I have chosen to thank God for the time we had, through his long life and for the chance to whisper my love for him into his ear and hear of his for me in return. Though I miss him, I am not lost in my sorrow.

Do any of you remember the old hymn, “Does Jesus Care?” Its words ease my pain and give me courage to begin 2012 with an expectant and hopeful heart, instead of a despairing one.

Does Jesus care when I've said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks ¬
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

O yes, He cares- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
The long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Thank you Jesus, for weeping with me.

And thanks for listening. Caro