Figuratively and Literally

Hello All,

As some of you may have noticed in recent pictures of Derek, he is holding the Cross.  This was given to him by parents of a friend of Angela's.  I felt obligated to tell everyone that these pictures are not "staged".  As anyone who has stopped over the last few weeks could tell you, he has freely chosen to figuratively and literally hold on to the Cross.

Derek has literally not let go of it.  He is doing it on his own accord.  Whether he is asleep or awake, the cross is in his hand.  Honestly, I was kind of surprised that he makes the extra effort to physically hold on to the cross, but on the other hand, I am not surprised at all.

This cross is super soft and really light. So it feels really good in the hand. There are no sharp edges so it is really comfortable to hold.  

The last time Derek was at church, which was only a few days after he initially started his recent downturn, after the service was done, he looked at me and said, "Dad, when I grow up I want to be a Pastor".  I told him that was exactly what he should be when he grows up.  I found this kind of hard to say.  Because at that time I had a pretty good idea that he was not going to "grow up".  I don't know if Derek knew exactly what his likely fate was at this point, but I have a feeling he at least had a good idea when he said it.  So I thought it was a profound thing to say from a child who knew his time on Earth is limited.  For some reason as I type this, this verse popped in my head.  Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." 

That was a few weeks ago.  Yesterday, God abruptly reminded me of our conversation at Church that day.  And He greatly pressed it on my mind that I tell Derek that actions of faith speak much louder than words. And that many Pastors could speak an entire lifetime and not convey the strength in Christ that you (Derek) have in your short life time.  And that he was already a Pastor or an Ambassador of Christ.  I have a feeling this little guy has reminded many of the love of Christ.

He still is comfortable and has no pain.  His nurse stopped by today and even she was surprised that he was in no pain and so comfortable.   Which reminded me of this,

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Thats all for now folks,

Zell