It’s been quite a while since I have written about my Dad. His last chemo treatment was back in May. The treatments were very hard on him and his cancer seemed stable, so the decision was made to take a break from the chemo. However, it wasn’t a break from other health issues which plagued him. 

Dad has had some skin cancers to appear, a side effect of chemo. One particular spot on his hand was removed a couple times. They thought they had it all but each time it returned. They finally removed a much larger section of the back of his hand in July. The bones and tendons could be seen before they finally felt confident they had removed all of the cancerous cells. The spot has been slowly healing and is now the size of a small coin. Dad said all along it would be Christmas before all the skin grew back and it certainly appears that will be the case.

Another issue he has had since almost the beginning of his cancer journey has been problems with his back. There are several areas along his spine where the discs are bulging. Close to the bottom of his spine, the bone is pressing against his nerves which is causing numbness from his waist down. Because of that area getting worse, he cannot walk without a cane or walker.

The loss of full feeling and weakness in his legs has been hard on him not only physically, but mentally. As I have mentioned several times, my Dad was never one to be still long. He loved being outside “piddling.” If he didn’t have actual tasks to take care of, he would just be out walking around. This loss of mobility has brought feelings of uselessness.

The neurosurgeon was willing to try the least invasive option of shaving bone away from the nerves and leaving the other “bad” places in his spine alone. Before he would consider surgery, the doctor wanted Dad to have an echocardiogram and a stress test performed on his heart. Due to having had a heart attack before, and how exhausted Dad becomes when he does try to walk any distance at all, we were all concerned the tests would show his heart had weakened. But God is faithful and answered prayers. The tests actually showed his heart function had improved since the last tests were performed a little over a year ago. So, with all the health issues Dad has and has come through, we can say he has a good heart.

As I pondered over that phrase in my mind, I thought of how often we use that saying to describe someone’s character. We may use it in a positive way when describing how a person was lending help or performing an act of service. Or we sometimes use it as an offset to balance a negative comment. For example, “That person doesn’t go to church, but they have a good heart.”

But is having a good heart enough? When Dad had to go through having the tests on his heart, the heart doctor said he is often asked to “clear” someone for surgery like he was having to do for my Dad. But just because tests can show if a person’s heart is functioning within what is considered normal ranges, it’s no guarantee that the surgery will go perfectly. There are so many other areas to consider such as the overall health of a person, their age, the type of surgery they are having, etc.

And when we say a person has a good heart, there are still so many other factors to consider. The only thing that truly matters when a person comes to the end of their life is not whether or not they have a good heart. It matters who their heart belongs to. You see, the most moral, loving and kind-hearted person you know could still die and go to hell if they have not given their heart and their life to my Lord Jesus Christ.

I know for sure that my Dad has a good heart. Physically, the tests he had showed that. But morally, he is a humble, kind man. I have never heard him be unkind to anyone. People love speaking with him. Everyone I know that knows my Dad will tell me how much they think of him. But the most important thing is that I know my Dad has given his heart to Christ. He has a good heart because of the One who holds it.

I am reminded of a Psalm in which the writer is comparing his life with those who are living wickedly. He thought those people had it so much easier than he had. They never seemed to have problems. They went through life scoffing God and seemed to get away with it. But then God allowed him to realize their future. Those who did not live for God would be eternally separated from Him. But those who trusted in the Lord, would have eternity with God. Please read all of Psalm 73, but notice these verses:

²³Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

²⁷ Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
²⁸ But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.  Psalm 73:23-28 NIV

So, what about you? What is the condition of your heart?

Dad, I’m so glad the strength of your heart is the Lord and He is your portion forever!