My loving father was sick. How sick? I didn't know at the time. Upon hearing the news, my brother had immediately booked our father a flight to New York City to seek treatment. He was soon diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. I was filled with worries and stresses over the situation. My head ached daily. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. I could find no comfort. I decided to escape from everyone and everything. It seemed to me that they just added additional stress to my life. My focus was solely on my Dad. But through it all, God was speaking to me. God was letting me know that He was there and He understood my pain. God spoke to me in His word. John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
God began to show His power as only He can. The doctor suggested a place that would care for my father. This was a most beautiful place — fit for a king. There was a lovely sitting area where families could gather together with fresh tea and coffee along with various pastries. My father was given a private, spacious room with a view of the garden full of a variety of flowers. The sunlight shone in daily to brighten up this very difficult time. My Dad received 24-hour care 7 days a week from volunteers who dedicated their lives to serving others. Every wish my father had they granted. He was given three meals on a schedule and whenever he requested it. His pitcher was full of cool water for drinking. He was always clean and comfortable. We were allowed to sleep over to spend these final times with my Dad. God was letting me know that He would never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).
I began to make peace with the realization that my father whom I've known and loved all my life would be taken away from me, but I realized that my heavenly Father would not allow ANYTHING to separate me from His love. Family members began to visit from different parts of the states to say their goodbyes. They were encouraged also when they saw how well the LORD had provided for my Dad. You see my father had lived in Haiti. He had no insurance. He had no funds. But he had God!
"Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing."1
When my loving father died, the same place that had taken care of him offered to pay half of the funeral expenses. In addition, they spoke to the funeral parlor and another portion was reduced from the remaining half. My very supportive friend JoAnn made an amazing meal of sandwiches, freshly baked goods, and all the trimmings for my entire family to enjoy as we remembered my Dad together.
For our Toussaint family, once we saw how our dad was being cared for, we were no longer sad, no longer afraid of death because we knew that God was present. What should have been tears turned to comfort, laughter, and togetherness. We were given a great blessing to say goodbye to our dear, beloved father, and our beloved father was given an opportunity to say goodbye to us. He shook every hand in the room, and with hugs and kisses he said, "If we don't get to see each other again, I will see you in heaven." The next day he went into a coma and died with his children by his bedside. But what joy it is to know that even in death God is present. God has promised us in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
All scripture taken from the Kings James Version
- Ellen G. White. The Ministry of Healing (Washington: Review and Herald Publishing Assn., 1905), 481.
