Knowing.

Many of you know that my dad recently passed away.
He was buried on my 59th birthday.
Not what a "daddy's girl" would want to remember about her birthday... or is it?

The last month of his life he came face to face with the reality that his death could come at any time.

He first entered the hospital on June 26th. During the few days he was there he told me that he was ready to go, that he had lived a good life and his only regret was leaving my mom and me. That continued to be his story through his last days.

It was an honor to sit on the sidelines and watch these two sweethearts of almost 60 years make final plans. What songs did he want? Who would sing? That was pretty much all that was left to take care of because for the past year daddy had made sure that things were all in order. He had made a list of everything mama would need to know about their finances and other things.

Daddy always led a quiet, simple life,  becoming a volunteer fireman in 1977.
He volunteered with the City of Greer Fire Department for 36 years before retiring several years ago. Even in retirement he was no stranger to his GFD brothers. That became evident during the weeks between hospitals and hospices. One day a whole shift came to visit resulting in two fire trucks and numerous other vehicles. It was a good day. There was laughter, there was peace.

During the last of his days here on earth I knew what God had called me to do as daddy's sister-in-Christ... worship with him on this side of heaven. With mom on one side and me on the other, I read several scriptures from Revelation to remind daddy of the sights and sounds that he would soon be privy to. After the scriptures came the hard part. I told him as his sister-in-Christ I could not send him off unprepared for what he was about to encounter. I knew he liked the old hymns, but am highly suspect that on that side of glory they might not just be singing the old standards. 

 With that said, Hezekiah Walker began singing "Every Praise".

I held daddy's hand up as a praise offering to our Lord. I have often done that as a kind of "standing in the gap" for those who weren't able to worship for themselves. At one point during the song I asked if he could say hallelujah. Of course he could. He had been rather non verbal that day so it was sweet to hear.
We then prayed and thanked God for everything. I think that was Thursday, daddy headed home to glory around 8:30 Saturday night...

Even though daddy was a always a quiet, soft spoken man, apparently he had made an impact on the men he called brothers at the GFD. They pretty much took care of the service. Daddy took his last ride on the back of Engine #5 which made it's way through the city of Greer. They provided police escorts at every intersection, and when we arrived at the cemetery, there were two ladder trucks extended to the sky with the largest American flag that I have ever seen. It was awesome. We were all so humbled by their display of love toward this simple man.

I guess all he ever did was love well.

Isn't that what we are all called to do?

The hardest part of the day was what's known as "the final call" issued by the dispatcher to the shift commander who stood by the graveside.

#86.

#86.

#86.

Last call for fireman #86, Donald W. Lister.

Fireman #86 has reached his eternal home, safe and sound.

Thank you Don for 36 years of faithful service.

Daddy knew peace.
Daddy knew Father God, Son Jesus and the sweet Holy Spirit.
Thankfully so do those of us who remain here.

Daddy was ready for his final call when it came on July 18th.

I don't know when my time will come, none of us do.

It is our prayer at Wellspring Living|SC and Wellspring Treasures Thrift Store that you know peace because you know Jesus, ready for your final call too.

If you don't... get in touch with me, my phone number or email can be found on our website under contacts, I will gladly share how you too can know peace and have peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you do know Christ as your Lord & Savior, but still don't have peace because of situations in your life, respond and say that you would like an appointment with our Director of Ministry, Madonna Hines and we will set that up for you too.