Chapter Eleven

As father left the chapel following the most powerful prayer meeting he’d ever seen, his legs could barely carry him down the hall. He knew his time had come. That it was his turn to see the Lord. The weariness he had been feeling over the past few weeks seemed to have reached a peak.

He had given his all to the Lord, not just in servitude for so many years, but his physical body. He had pledged his life in exchange for Jenny’s so that his son and she could have the life together that they’d been denied.

He wobbled into his room for his Bible. The light that he’d noticed hovering around him over the last little while seemed brighter— as if the closer he got to heaven the more intense the light became.

Bible in hand, he walked into the sun room, periodically stopping to lean on the wall for support and rest. His favourite chair waited for him in the sunlight. His weary body found comfort and rest in the soft cushions.

Father took a deep breath— he knew it would be one of his last, as he felt the life draining out of him. He knew he wasn’t far from seeing his Anna. He opened his Bible instinctively to the 23rd Psalm.

“The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” As Father read these words, his eyelids closed.

The day nurse starting her shift came in to check on Peter. She was surprised to see him still alive. She smiled at Angie as she passed and said, “He’s got a fighting spirit.” The nurse patted her back and left. “I’ll be in shortly to check again.”

Angie didn’t look at the nurse but simply nodded and softly whispered, “Thank you, Florence.”

Peter’s breathing was shallow. Angie felt so helpless and wished with all her heart that she could do more. She would miss her husband. He was such a good man. She recalled the day Peter confessed his deed to the parish. They thought that would be the end of their tenure at the church, but instead it only increased the love that the parishioners had for Peter. His openness, honesty and transparency precipitated many to share their transgressions. Sins and deeds that many were ashamed to reveal, opened up and received healing and the freedom that comes with forgiveness.

Peter was authentic inside and out. He showed his humanness and touched the hearts of others. Angie felt at times the parishioners loved him more than she did. Many were in the hallway now praying for him. The church was also packed with others praying.

“Oh, dear Jesus, hear our prayers. Let him lead the parish longer and train a predecessor. Let him see his daughter, Camilla. Let them reconcile. Please, bring Jenny and Peter together in peace, as well. His heart and soul yearn for such a healing.”

Angie squeezed Peter’s hand and bent forward and laid her head on her arm and wept. The day nurse came back and changed one of the IV bags. As she left, she stopped at Angie’s side and rubbed her shoulder.

Angie straightened out once more and continued to pray. The faith in her words began to reflect a loss of hope.

“Oh, Lord, if it is Your will to take Peter home, You know the desires of his heart. He holds such a deep love in his heart for his daughter. His prayer would be that she would feel his love in spirit. He is such a godly man. Grant him the peace of knowing that his life on earth was worthy and acceptable to you. Grant him peace that surpasses all understanding so that as he breathes his final earthly air, he knows in his heart that all is well with You and Jenny and his daughter, Camilla.”

The monitor began to beep, startling Angie and those present. The nurse rushed in and made an adjustment on the wires leading to Peter’s chest. The noise stopped and the blips continued, slowly… laboriously.