Today, I’m not asking God for the perfect buyer for our home, or that I have a victorous day of eating, or that I can get published somewhere. Those things pale in comparison to my petitions this morning. Today I’m asking my heavenly Father to protect my earthly father. Pop is going for carotid artery surgery as he’s more than 80% blocked. God’s clearly protected him from a stroke. And that’s not all. A quintuple bypass, three cancers, ileostomy, knee replacement, and I’m just getting warmed up.
I’ve had a front row seat and I know God’s track record, it’s one that I’d place my life on.
Would you please pray for my father, Pete Karl, today as he has carotid artery surgery. Not just for the surgeon’s hand to guide steadily, and the nursing and medical staff to treat him tenderly. I also ask for you to pray specifically for his salvation.
This past spring break week, the boys and I went up to be with Pop. We had a great time as we always do. My father and I are both conservatives with dented senses of humor, so it’s almost always a bowl full of belly laughs. One night though, God allowed my father and I to have a “nuts and bolts” kind of disucssion at the kitchen table. The same kitchen table that I sat at every night for dinner, on the milk can, (being the youngest didn’t always pay off!). The same kitchen table that hosted the majority of my sister’s and my friends secrets. The same kitchen table that I learned of Mom’s breast cancer. The same kitchen table I told Pop that I was going into the Air Force. The same kitchen table that, two weeks ago, we discussed salvation.
Pop said, “Cause I need to work out my salvation here on this earth.” I replied, “No, Pop, you don’t. Jesus made it so easy. If you had to work for it, it wouldn’t be a free gift.” As we discussed the nuts and bolts, Pop rested on, “That’s just something we disagree about.”
Please pray for my father’s health, physically and most importantly, spiritually. That he says, “Yes” to the entire gift Jesus has for him.
For anyone who doesn’t know what I’m writing about, salvation is not a difficult give to receive. But, like a UPS package, you have to say “yes” to receive the package into your arms. It’s just this easy:
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (New International Version)
My prayer for Pop today is Psalm 121:
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Hi Steph, So glad to see in this last reply post that your dad is in recovery. Praying for the recovery to be as speedy, and as painless as possible. God is listening to all of these prayers for your father’s salvation, and like only He can, is softening your dad’s heart. All things in His time, right? Love ya! Les
Thank you so much for the prayers Les – in His time…it’ll be the perfect time – THANKS for the perfect word! Love and thanks!
please know your beautiful earthly father is being “held”–and I think of the scripture “live and not die and declare the works of the LORD”–with my sometimes dyslexic brain it may be the opposite but God knows–whatever the outcome, your pop is alive–remembering that the prayers of those that have gone before us still count because God works outside of time–what a glorious thought! Be strong and of good courage my friend! Bob and I prayed and will continue to pray if we need to–
Thank you for your comment, prayers and phone message sweet sister! Please thank and hug Bob for me too!
I know that table well, if it could talk it would release all the mysteries & secrets of the world (some I know we wouldn’t want shared). But it’s also VERY strong. It’s held the weight of us all and healed us all. It’s listened, supported, and comforted as well as absorbed all of our tears. Just like the Good Lord does for us EVERYDAY. Just like Pop has done for us EVERYDAY. Pop is just as strong as that table, he may question his salvation, but he’s always held in the palm of God’s Hand. We are all praying for him, Steph. We are praying for you all.
LOVE YOU BEYOND MEASURE!
So you had to go there and get me balling reading your comment…thanks for the love, the reminder and the lifelong friendship. I love you beyond measure too!
And, the same table that we learned that our little brother was born!
I will most certainly pray for your Dad, Stephanie! He has raised a wonderful family, and has been obviously spared many earthly traumas by the will of God. May Pete come to know in his heart that no matter what his past “disagreements” may have been, Jesus has forgiven him all things, and will surely welcome him warmly into His kingdom. Father God, please soften the heart of Pete Karl to feel Your Love, Peace, and Healing as he undergoes his procedure today. Hold Pete in Your Hands, and speak to his spirit in a way that only You can. Be with the doctors and nurses taking care of him, and upon his waking, make Pete a new creation in You. Also, Lord, please be with Pete’s daughters and calm them as they await news of Pete’s recovery. Thank you for giving Stephanie such a wonderful ministry! I know that You hear our prayers, God, and I am counting on all good news! Amen!
You’re the best Tara – you’re prayers and friendship mean SO much to me! He is currently in recovery and I look forward to hearing his voice soon!
THANKS, HUGS AND AMEN!