It’s official! My company Praise Up is now a Nonprofit Organization! Can’t wait to see what God will do next!

I have a “Visitor”.

That’s what he said.  That’s what my dad said moments before he took his last breath.  “I have a visitor and I just got so excited.”

“So excited.”  That’s how he felt.  That’s how my dad described his feelings at the very end.  The very end of cancer.

The end of cancer that came too quickly.  Cancer that we thought was cured.  But cancer wasn’t cured.  It came back.  This time to invade his lungs and brain.  And this time, the devastation was felt by all who knew and loved him.

My dad.  My role model.  A patient, kind and loving man who didn’t deserve this.  Not now.  Not at 63.  His retired life was just beginning.  But, God had a different plan.  A plan that changed my life on March 17, 1998.

That day was twenty years ago.  Twenty years.  Seems like so long ago, but, I remember it like it was yesterday.  I wasn’t prepared for what happened that day.  I don’t know how you can be.  I never thought I would see someone die.  To be in the room when they take their last breath.  It’s not something you can prepare for.

But, this day was different for me, my three siblings and my mom.  Different, because we weren’t alone.  There was a visitor there.  Not one we could see, but one that would guide the way.

So here is what happened:  It was St. Patrick’s Day and my mom, my two sisters, my brother and myself were in dad’s hospice room.  It was his 2^nd day there and we were expecting at least a 7-10 day stay.  That’s what the doctors thought.   That’s how long they thought it would take for dad’s body to shut down.  But that’s not what happened.

Around 9:00 p.m. that evening, my mom went home to rest and the four kids stayed behind.  About an hour later, my dad’s breathing became very labored.  He was having a hard time catching his breath.  The nurse came in and put an oxygen mask on him to try and help.   We surrounded his bed and as we watched his breathing slowly improve, dad did something.  He pulled his oxygen mask to the side and through his labored breath said, “I know why I can’t breathe.”  We all leaned in anxious to hear the answer.  He said, “I had a visitor and I just got so excited.”  I remember looking at my brother and we mouthed the word, “Visitor?”  There wasn’t a visitor in the room.  It was just us.  His four kids.  And then dad did it again.  He pulled the oxygen mask away and said something we weren’t expecting.  He said, “Go get mom, I think it’s time for me to go.”

Wait.  What???  No.  I’m not ready.  We’re not ready.

My brother rushed out to go get my mom who was at home.  How could this be happening?  Dad was just visiting with friends and eating chocolate cake to celebrate my sister’s birthday from the day prior.  He was supposed to be here for 10 days!  We wanted more.  We needed more.  More time.  More dad.

But, it wasn’t our choice.  It wasn’t our decision.  God sent a visitor and it was time.  Even though we didn’t want it to be time.

And, then it happened.  My dad got a look on his face.  That look.  I will never forget it.  A look we had never seen before.  And one that is hard to describe.

It was a look of absolute, complete, excitement.  It was like he was seeing the most incredible thing ever.  Like a little boy seeing his first brand new bike.  His eyes were so wide.  His mouth opened as he gasped at what he was seeing.  It was incredible to witness.

We all surrounded his bed and through tears, watched in amazement.  Watched as my dad left his body and went home.  I will never forget it.  I will never forget what happened in that room, that night.

I sometimes wonder who the visitor was.  Was it Jesus?  Was it an angel?  He didn’t say a name, so was it someone he didn’t know?  Someone he wasn’t familiar with?  Whoever it was, it got dad extremely excited and ready to make the journey home.

Since then, St. Patrick’s Day has not been my favorite.  I relive those moments in that room.  The heartbreak and sadness, but also the joy and peace knowing the pain was gone.  Dad was free of pain.  He was home.

I do wish though, that he could have met Brad, Eli and Ella.  Oh, how they would have loved him, and he them!  Someday, though.  Someday.

And, to the unknown visitor…I look forward to meeting you someday in Heaven.

But until then, say Hi to my dad for me.

Twenty years ago, I was on a search for happiness. True happiness. Happiness that lasts longer than a bowl of pasta or a really good piece of chocolate cake. Happiness that gave me a deep-down sense of contentment and overall peace.

During this search, my cousin Carol invited me to go to a Billy Graham Crusade at the Metrodome, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the time, I remember saying I would go but was not too excited about it.

On the day of the event, I remember sitting in my chair and listening to Rev. Graham share how God was the only one who could make you truly happy. How he was the only one that could satisfy your every need and give you ultimate joy.

His words hit me hard. For several years, I had been looking for happiness in every human way possible and it only brought disappointment. And, as I sat there, I realized that even though I had always believed in Jesus, went to Sunday School, and got confirmed, I never truly had a one on one personal relationship with Him. I never saw God as a friend. I knew He was always there, but I did not seek Him. I did not talk to Him. I did not know Him.

Billy Graham made it very clear: God was the answer. He was the missing piece. My search was over. God was the answer to true happiness.

So now what? Unbelievably for me, I found myself wanting to walk forward to accept Christ as my Savior. Before I stood up, I remember our seats were in the back of the Metrodome. In order for me to get to the stage, I had to walk down an aisle in between chairs to get to the front. This may sound weird, but as I was walking, it felt like I was walking down the aisle in my wedding. I felt like I was walking toward the man of my dreams. And, I was.

That night was June 19, 1996.

At the end of the evening, they handed us all a card with that date to commemorate our decision. I put it in my purse as a reminder of the day.

For the next several years, I got to know God. I read the Bible. I prayed. I listened and learned. I started to feel content and happy. And, ready to take the next step.

And then it happened. I met Brad. And, after eight months of dating I knew he was, “The One.” Now, if I would have met Brad before I met God, I would have expected him to make me happy. I would have expected him to satisfy my every need. But, that’s not his job. And, that’s not my job for him. Thankfully, he also knew where his happiness came from. We were brought together to glorify God.

Here’s the cool part…About a year into our marriage I was cleaning out my purse and I saw the card that I received the night I accepted Christ. I looked at the date. My heart started pounding and I yelled for Brad. I said, “Look at the date on this card….June 19!” Well, June 19 just happens to be the day that Brad and I got married. I could not believe my eyes! I met the Man of my dreams, and married “The One,” on the same day. I know that was not a coincidence. It still gives me goosebumps to this day.

So, what about you? Are you on a search for happiness? If you are, look no further. Jesus is your answer. Honestly. You will be blown away by what He can and will do in your life. All you have to do is ask Him to come into your heart. That’s it. And everything will change.

Now, will it make everything easy? Will life be magical and free of pain? No, but He will give you strength. He will give you what you need to make it through this life. It will be the BEST decision you could ever make. I promise.

God is waiting for you.