Heart to Heart

Heart to Heart

“Congestive Heart Failure”! These words have changed my life forever. I received a call from my dad about 3 weeks ago, telling me that he had been diagnosed with having this disease. I can’t even begin to explain the thoughts and emotions that flowed through me, all at the same time. The one that overshadowed them all was FEAR. At one time or another, every child has to experience or think about life without their parents. My dad has always been my anchor, my hero, and a place of rest for me. Ever since I was a little girl, I would find relief in his arms. I think all little girls see their daddy as strong and invincible. My dad is ex-military, has never had a weight problem, has always been athletic, but he doesn’t eat very well and has smoked since he was 15. Nevertheless, the thought of him being very ill was unthinkable to me. I did the only thing I know to do, I called out to God and began to pray. “God, I am not ready, yet!” “God, I know that one day, (more than likely) I will have to lose him, but not now…not now!” I said this over and over. “God, how can I explain death to my son and how will he begin to understand where his Poppy is?!” Then the most amazing thing happened. I felt in my heart a voice say, “Why are you speaking words of defeat?” “It’s not time, yet!”

From the moment I heard from the Holy Spirit, miracles began to happen. My dad’s test came back with some great results. Within a week and a half, he was cleared to go back to work (with moderate duties), and everything had returned to normal. Yes, he will always have this disease, because it is incurable, but what a blessing to have him with me. This disease has not only changed my dad’s life, but mine, as well. With his diagnosis came a 50% chance of me also getting CHF. However, I now have the knowledge and resources to help lessen my chances. More than anything, I have God, the ultimate physician! With the right diet, exercise, and prayer, I am defeating even the possibility of this disease.

Well, my dad is eating healthy, staying active, and he has stopped smoking. He says, he feels like he has a second chance and I agree. I am so glad that showing and telling my dad just how much I love him has never been a problem. If I ever see the day that I do have to lose him, I take solace in knowing that I never left any stone unturned and beyond the shadow of a doubt, I know where my dad will be spending eternity. Ask anyone who knows him…he touches the lives of everyone he encounters for the better. I also, know that God has given me a husband who is my strength and is everything I could have ever wanted in a man…so I am taken care of. So, if anything should ever happen, I have absolutely NO REGRETS. That is such an amazing feeling. I also have the assurance that we will be reunited once again. So, I am thankful that I have my dad and I pray that I have him with me for many, many years to come.

What lesson have I learned from all of this? I have learned that when we receive bad news, instead of imagining the worst or even letting the worse case scenario play out in your mind, I have learned to speak words of victory, to fill my mind and mouth with God’s Word, which tells me that I have already won every battle that I will ever have to fight. Nothing is over until God says so! Not even death can separate us from God or those that we love.

For more information on Congestive Heart Failure and what you can do to prevent this disease visit “The American Heart Association” at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4585