Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones

Our pastor preached a beautiful message on Sunday which referenced my dad, Bob Franklin, and Beth Pettit, both of whom passed into glory on Thursday August 4th, 2011. I have taken much comfort from his words, and the Lord has been encouraging us each day with small mercies, even though the cross we are bearing feels so heavy right now.

My dad died in a motorcycle accident in California. He had just been to Canada and was on his way to Yosemite. Someone told me that they are praying that we will be cared for by God’s people on every step of our journey. I wanted to record a few ways I have felt God’s tender care for us this week.

*Pastor Boyd shared that Christians are never alone in their death.  It has brought much comfort to know that my dad wasn’t alone on the road at the time of his accident.  The Lord was with truly with him. Jesus was interceding for him even at the moment of his death, and the Holy Spirit was with him as he crossed the river into Jesus arms.

*My dad decided to get a blackberry and text messaging the week before he left on this trip.  He still hadn’t really figured out how to use it, but he had some texts on his phone from me and from my sister.  The coroner contacted me first through text, then called me when I didn’t immediately respond.  If my dad had not decided (after years of us begging him to get email and text!) to get a blackberry before this trip, it would have been much, much harder for the coroner to know who to contact.  We were able to be notified within 24 hours because of my dad’s decision to join the digital age.

*I learned that the coroner who took care of my dad’s body–and who called me with the horrible news–is a Christian.  It blessed me so much to know that the Lord sent a brother in Christ to minister to my dad’s body, and to my spirit.

*We have been putting together photos to show at the visitation.  I have been beside myself because I couldn’t find any recent photos of my dad with my children. Much of what I could find was taken many years ago, and my two youngest children weren’t in any of the pictures.  We spent a lot of time with my dad, but he was always the one holding the camera; not typically the one in the photos.  We took all the time we spent with him for granted, and didn’t prioritize snapping his picture.  But I found a photo that was taken a few months ago with all the kids in it, even our new baby.  What a blessing.  Thank you, Jesus!  I don’t even remember taking it, but I know the Lord ordained that photo.  Our children were so relieved when I found that photo.

*Today my aunt sent two precious photos of me with dad at my wedding.  I had never seen these photos before and they mean so very much to me.  Also, a local photographer who had taken some pictures of my dad two years ago sent me all of his proofs, to use as I wish.  Pictures mean so much to us at this time, and her generosity really touched my heart.

*We got dad’s camera from the coroner today.  I was praying last night that there would be a good picture of him on it, and that we would get to see some of what he had seen in his travels in Canada.  What a joy it was to find the best picture I have ever seen of my dad.  It looks like he got a tripod and took several pictures of himself with beautiful scenery in the background.  Also, there are hundreds of photos of scenery.  The last picture was of the road and his bike, and according to the time stamp on the camera, it seems to have been taken less than two hours before he died.  The photos right before that one were of a whale.  I’m sure my dad was thrilled to see and whale and snap several pictures of it.  He loved nature and loved getting good pictures!

*Most encouraging of all have been the many testimonies from dad’s friends and acquaintances.  We know dad was the boldest witness for Christ that any of us have ever known, and that continues to be a theme. We pray the Lord will be magnified and the Gospel clearly proclaimed in the funeral service.  Dad always pointed to Christ in his life, and we want to honor Christ in his death.  Pray with us that his memorial service will bring  glory to the One who meant everything to my dad.

Please pray for us, that the Lord will give joy in the midst of the tears, and that He will give special grace to my husband as he prepares a eulogy that will honor my dad and bring glory to Christ.