Saturday, January 27, 2007

From Bethany, Joel's oldest sister, to her father...

I just wanted to write a tribute to my dear Father, who fought and journeyed right alongside our precious Joel. He was there constantly by his side only leaving on a few short occasions. He read the scriptures to him, prayed over him and served him in every way he could.
The nurses found in him a willing learner, quickly mastering each lesson to be able to more efficiently serve and take care of his precious son.
I know from the times I stayed up at the hospital how emotionally taxing it was, the constant tension of watching his heart rate, keeping tabs on his blood pressure and doing as he called it his “hourly check” where he kept track of all Joel’s vital signs and temperature.
He fought for Joel all the way into the courtroom, at the same time encouraging us that we must love and pray for our enemies.
All the way up until that very last day when the ventilator could no longer keep his heart rate up my Dad was by his side manually bagging air into Joel’s lungs. We were all around his bed, I was holding his little hand and Mr. Burnett was praying as his heart rate dropped to zero. We were all witnesses to the fact that when Joel truly died no machine in the world could keep him alive.
Thank you also Dad for diligently teaching us the Sovereignty of God. That nothing happens outside of his plan. That “every joy or trial cometh from above, traced upon our dial by the Son of Love.”
Thank you Dad for your dedication to our precious Joel, and to your whole family.

I love you, your daughter Bethany

7 comments:

Beckaboo said...

Bethany ~ That was a beautiful tribute to your dad. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Our prayers are with your family...

In Him,
the Ebling Family

The Cole Family said...

Bethany,

I think that is a wonderful tribute to your father. You are blessed to have him as a father and to have Cindy as your mother. They have taught you and your siblings well. One thing that I wanted to tell you is how much respect and love we have for your parents. Your parents have always been very humble people. They are gentle in their correction of others when they disagree with them. Paul writes to Timothy and tells him in II Timothy 2:24-25
"And the Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."

Your parents have taught us many things and it has always been in an attitude of love. Their purpose has always been to share the truth in love.

That is especially important when dealing with difficult people, as your parents faced over the past several weeks.

Blessings to you and your family. You will remain in our prayers.

Bob and Cindy Cole

LJR said...

Your father is a wonderful man. His devotion to Joel touched me so deeply. He went above and beyond to provide for Joel, to care for him and to love him. His place in heaven next Lord, and with his son Joel is well deserved. He did everything in his power to give Joel a good life, and to care for him, he should be proud of himself.
Lori R Norman OK

Jerry Clark said...

Dear Bethany, It was your dad that introduced me to your Aunt Tami... You, and all the children bring such honor to your mother and father and more important the Lord. I loved the choice you played at the funeral, "It is Well with my soul"... it would do ALL well to google it and perhaps research the conditions in which it was written. The hymn speaks loudly of your beliefs. Continue to take peace in the fact that God is in control and His ways are not ours... always trust in Him and He will sustain you. "Keep on keeping on" is what my pastor would have told me at your age. Persevere... persevere... persevere!!! To God be the glory... To God be the glory... To God be the glory!!! You are loved!!!

crazy uncle Jerry

Teena said...

Bethany, what a beautiful tribute to your dad... and to the Lord. YOUR testimony of your dad will touch people more than you can ever imagine. I thank you for sharing it with all the bloggers out here. We saw the faithfulness, they over and above your dad went through for Joel. I know he would do it for any of you....
I am a mom of 6 and I am so blessed that the Lord has given us these children... I am so thankful to Him.
I know your dad will always cherish what you wrote.

I am praying for all of you. Just today someone in church said the name Josiah and I immediately thought of Josiah and wondered how he is doing. We sang "It is well with my soul" this morning in worship ....

thank you for sharing ... about how Joel... entered glory.

May God continue to comfort all of you. We are continuing to pray
blessings,
Teena mom to 1/2 dozen

Grafted Branch said...

Your words are so much more than a loving tribute to a devoted dad...they are a testimony of life and love and hope to everyone who will happen upon it.

I am encouraged in the Lord today because of you, young lady.

God bless you...

Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) said...

How beautiful Bethany! What a wonderful tribute to your amazing father!