Praising God

On the August 8th I was in the hospital ward at Shillong NEIGRIHMS where my Father In Law Dr. Kaushal Vincent  ( Pa as we affectionately call him) was admitted following recurrence of cancer after a year and a half afer  he was operated.
Pa was barely able to speak, he was however happy to see Naz his daughter and Grandchildren and the fact that  we made it to see him. He was also given oxygen as he was finding it difficult to breathe normally.

My Mother In Law asked me to read a few verses from the Bible. I had to make a quick decision. I did not want to read the usual verses which portray imminent passing away.
For me a Christian Life is a Life of victory and  in all circumstances we need to Praise God, especially in difficult times since  it the Love and Mercy of God which would  strengthen our Faith and come out stronger.

I chose Psalm 150  as it is  Psalm of praise and started reading it slowly.
the first two verses were nice
1 Praise the LORD. [a]
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.

2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Yes this made sense at this context, however  when I came to the next 3 verses, I wondered if I made a mistake in choosing this chapter especially with Pa being so sick,

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise him with the harp and lyre,

4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,

5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

I was wondering how could I read about clash of cymbals when the person can hardly speak. What relevance to Trumpets and Lyre have in a hospital ward which is hush hush.

However the last verse opened my eyes and saw that it has a special meaning in a context like this.
It also reaffirmed my belief that the Bible is a Living Word and speaks to us in our context.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD.

I read this verse again slowly  and with the oxygen tube to his nose, Pa nodded and smiled.
The simple truth that we can praise God in any circumstance  became so real to each one of us and more so to Pa. 

After a few moments our children Esther and Rakshan spontaneously broke in to this lovely song God will make a way,  please read the lyrics and listen to the song as well.

God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength for each new day

He will make a way, He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me

And rivers in the desert will I see

Heaven and earth will fade

But His Word will still remain

He will do something new today.

God will make a way,

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength for each new day

He will make a way, He will make a way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YBwMQwr8AI 

Their soft and gentle voices brought a serenity to the evening time.  We have sung this song many a time in  the cosy comfort of routine family prayers. Little do we understand the meaning and impact of the lyrics  and for each us present that evening  we  shed a tear but were strengthened that God will make a way  for Pa.

The next day Pa went into the ICU and was put on life support.  For a week every gesture and a  nod was enough excitement  to us that he  has understood us.  Naz was able to read the Psalm 23 on Monday night and She prayed with Pa  taking all loved ones  and friends by  name and thanked God for Pa's life and ministry.
In the stillness of wee hours of August 17th  2010, Pa moved on to Eternity leaving a grateful family of Pearly his dear wife, Yasmeen Nazarene and Rishot the children along with Tony Della and my self the extended children and loving Grandchildren  of Yohann, Rhea, Esther Rakshan and Kelly.