The A-Team

Roger was taken off life support late Friday night and passed shortly thereafter. It is not an easy thing to comprehend or even begin to have feelings about. I am thankful his body is no longer suffering but I fear for his soul. But more than anything I ask for prayers for comfort for my mom and my brother. They are the ones hurting the most and need the most comfort. Pray that I would use the right words (God-given) to reach their hearts for Christ in this time of pain. I have learned so much about the relationship my mom and brother had with this man that I truly did not know. I want to be there for them because this is very tough on them especially since it looks like Roger knew he was very sick and possibly dying but chose not to tell anyone or get treatment.

They have begun the process of cleaning out his house (which is the house I grew up in) and have tons and tons of work ahead of them. As of tonight my mom claims they made it through 80% of the valuable things. Roger’s actual blood family made the decision to give everything to my mom and brother since they were his “family.” Of course some of the items my mom has come across, she wants to pass to me since they are from my childhood. It is crazy to think he still had any of that stuff!

Pray for peace for me as I deal with my own emotions and issues as I approach the day for Roger’s funeral. I know it will be a difficult time and much will be expected of me. Pray that I am strong enough to get through that day.

Thanks for listening and most of all for praying.

It can strike anyone, anywhere. Please, please, please pray for my family (mom and brother).

My mom and brother have maintained a close relationship with my mom’s ex-husband, Roger. He has been a big part of their lives since 1996.

Tuesday afternoon changed my brother’s, my mom’s and Roger’s lifes forever. Roger had been unreachable by phone since Saturday afternoon. By Tuesday, my brother went to his house to check on him. My brother found Roger lying on the floor. He promptly called 911 and got him help. Roger was still alive but barely. He was mostly unresponsive, extremely cold (even though he was in a warm house), extremely dehydrated, his liver has shut down, his kidneys have shut down, and the man is now on a ventilator because he cannot breathe on his own. He is clinging to life via machines. We believe he had been on the floor for close to 3 days. A scan of his brain has revealed tumors that we believe may be the cause of all this but the rest of his body is completely clear of any sign of tumor. He hadn’t shown any symptoms other than a recent cold that wouldn’t go away. Seriously, this blind-sided EVERYONE. This man is only 54 years old.

Short of the finger of God touching this man and healing his body, the prognosis is not good. I also know that his wishes would be to not stay on life support. He would rather die. I would ask only for prayers for comfort for everyone dealing with this sudden loss and for my guilt. Yes, guilt. Turns out the only picture the man had in his wallet was of me and Aaron at our wedding. I have not maintained a relationship with this man for reasons I will not go into but it was in the best interest of my family. With that said, I feel terribly guilty that I didn’t work harder at making sure he accepted Christ as his Savior. I am not sure of his salvation and that is scary. I never realized just how much my Hope in Christ frees me and it frees me of fear because I know my friends and family will someday join me in Heaven! I don’t think I have encountered a potential non-believer’s death (since becoming a believer). It is really hitting me hard especially since I could have done something about it. I pray that God gives ALL people one final chance at Judgement to proclaim Jesus as their Savior…hopefully Roger will make the choice for eternal life with Jesus! I ask for you to petition God on his behalf.

Thank you all for listening and for your prayers. They will not go unheard!