Have you ever waited until what seemed like the last moment to start something? How did that work out for you? For me, my procrastination usually leads to frustration, tears, anger, and stress. But there is one thing that ALWAYS works out even if it seems like the last moment—ALWAYS! Let me tell you about a man that discovered this fact.

By the time I met the man who would become my first father-in-law, he had lost his wife to cancer, lost some of his wealth and prestige, remarried, and seen his son through a divorce. Having given his name to his son, my father-in-law was known as Charles, Sr. He was quite an imposing man to me—tall with a large personality. Unfortunately, the tragedies in his life led him to alcohol beyond the social drinking limit. Charles, Sr., didn’t handle difficult times like the strong man he appeared on the outside.

In spite of this, he loved his first granddaughter, Jenny, with a passion. Watching the two of them together showed me a glimpse of who he truly was. Then, his second granddaughter, Megan, was born with severe brain damage. Perhaps, it was his love that poured down his face with tears, but he poured the alcohol too often down his throat. Maybe, his previous loss created fear in him to be around her.

Then, his only grandson, Justin, was born. Once again, I saw that love for his grandchildren. Unfortunately, there were too few moments in his grandchildren’s younger days in which he was clearheaded enough to truly enjoy time with them.

Charles, Sr., to my knowledge, grew up in the Methodist denomination and was faithful in attending church services. By the time I married his son, he was no longer faithfully serving in his church nor did he talk about God. His son, Slick, accepted Jesus as his Savior at the age of 28. From that moment on, Slick had many conversations with his father about Jesus and what that meant in Slick’s life. The topic was never agreed upon. Slick wanted his father to embrace all that Jesus is and could be in his life instead of accepting the damage that the alcohol was doing. Charles, Sr., never turned loose of his desires to accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation while his son was still alive.

Later, cancer arrived. Slick had been battling his cancer for over two years. Charles, Sr., and his wife, Charlene drove to Fort Worth for our final Thanksgiving with Slick; and we were pleasantly surprised as they had not traveled to our home previously. Charles, Sr., didn’t seem well during those few days. Slick and I, along with our son, Justin, moved back to Arkansas six weeks later so we would be closer to our families. We managed to take Slick to see his father who was feeling worse. Slick was due to have another surgery the next day. Two weeks later, Charles, Sr., was diagnosed with cancer. That was the father’s and son’s last visit together. Charles, Sr., never visited him in the hospital. Perhaps, he never truly dealt with Slick’s mother’s death from cancer or didn’t want to see his son suffering. Slick died six weeks later.

Charles, Sr., made the decision to not seek treatment. I don’t know if the prognosis was hopeless, or if Charles was just hopeless after the death of his only child from cancer. But he did not want any actions to prolong his life.

Charles and I had a few conversations concerning his desires for his two grandchildren. I didn’t see him often because of my own grief and his health. I remember well our last in-person conversation, though.

Charles wanted to assure me that he had made that decision that Slick had discussed many times. He didn’t know the church lingo, but he wanted me to be assured of his meaning. He finally found what he had needed all of his life toward the end of his life. He had made the decision to accept Jesus as His Savior. And it was not too late.

“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalm 34:6

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.” John 6:47

Charles, Sr., my father-in-law, and my stepdaughter’s and son’s grandfather, left this earth four months later, just seven months after his only son. But he entered heaven and the presence of Jesus at that moment. I know there was one other person besides Jesus who was happy to see him.

It is never too late to accept God’s free gift of salvation and live eternally with Jesus in heaven.

If you have wondered where you will live after you die here on earth, please contact me. I would love to share with you individually what I and Charles, Sr., both learned. Jesus is the only way to live eternally.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.’” John 14:6

IT IS A FREE GIFT!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

NONE OF US IS WORTHY!

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

IT IS GOOD!

“This Is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4

We just have to accept God’s gift. Please don’t wait. We really do not know when that last moment will be!