Looking for God's reasons

I had a life-changing experience about a year ago. My father was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Boston, where the world's third-best brain surgeon removed it. But something went wrong, and my dad had a stroke during the operation. He was brought to Sunnyview Rehabilitation Center, where he got a little bit better until he could talk and walk with a cane. Finally, he was able to come home.

About three months after he was home, his condition changed for the worse. We brought him to the hospital where he had an MRI and was diagnosed with three more cancerous brain tumors. He was put back into chemotherapy.

As his condition worsened, I started to pray more and more. My dad ended up passing away a week before my baby brother's birthday.

I was mad, frustrated and confused all at the same time. I asked God why He couldn't answer my prayers.

In church the next week, the priest gave me a piece of paper with a quote on it. It read something like this, "As I look back on the problems in my life, there are two sets of footprints in the sand. I see that, at the hardest times, there is only one as though You had left me. God answers that I was there for you, my son, for those are the times that I carried you to a happier place,"

I began to realize that God does everything for a reason, and it was better taking my father than leaving him here to suffer and remain on life support. Now I think back on how much I miss my dad, but I am glad he is in a place where he does not suffer.

(11/11/04)