This thoughtful, God-centered piece was written by author and KHCB/Upliftd host, Dawn Rae May, a few days before her step-dad passed away on August 23, 2026. Please read this wonderful and insightful reflection by Dawn Rae.
There’s something sacred about the Home-going of one of God’s kids. You hear stories where the room is filled with the presence of the Lord, the Redeemed is surrounded by loved ones singing and praying, as he or she walks through the door to Home. That’s not what’s happening here. My precious stepdaddy, just shy of 92 years old, is laboring for his breath as his body shuts down. He’s walked with the Lord for forty-plus years. My step-brother and step-sister are here too. We’ve all taken our turns sitting vigil for the last 11 days. Three states are represented in this room. I can now say I’ve experienced communal life, as we three plus two others, have been in this house around the clock, for the same 11 days. Someone from Hospice comes by daily and dad’s pastor has been by daily as well. It’s been a precious time, even though it’s been wearing, full of wonder, and I’m pretty sure I’ve gained five pounds because the junk food is prolific.
Though the picturesque moment I described does not exist here, the Lord is still very present. This is His son that suffered a massive stroke fourteen days ago and He will take him home but not before it’s time. There have been moments of singing and praying and of course, several moments of saying goodbye and “see you soon”. At least twice during these days, we’ve thought the moment had arrive and here we still wait.
My thoughts go in a hundred different directions as we’ve all looked at one another with astonishment – really – it’s the only word that covers all the of the thoughts and feelings of his survival with no food or hydration for 11 days now. He’d long ago put in to place a DNR so we wait. My human mind goes to the question that from our limited perspective is natural to ask: “How long, Lord?” No one wishes dad to pass and at the same time all of life is on hold because we want to be with him until he does. Four days ago we put internet in the house so we could at least get back to our work duties.
Friends are praying and checking in for which I’m grateful. The power of presence in one’s life is a buoy. My replies feel strange since his decline has been slow and steady. We all came because we knew he wasn’t long for this world and day has rolled into to day as we still wait. We’ve talked how hard it is to explain not that you need to but in conversation you want to. We’re living it and can’t even explain it.
With thoughts and emotions all over the place I turn to the one place I know is immovable. The One presence that does know the answer to the questions and knows the importance of these days – the Lord. It’s times like these where I’m challenged to rest in Who I say I believe. Is Job 14:5 Just a myth or is it true, “A man’s days are numbered. You know the number of his months. He cannot live longer than the time You have set.”
My questions continue but my soul is quieted. And when the questions get loud again and louder than the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7), I return to who God is: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”? (Psalm 18:2) He is not capricious or arbitrary; He is a God of purpose and order. The time spent in my hometown by my dad’s side, has not been wasted. With my Father’s hands on my face as well as my dear stepdaddy’s (Psalm 3:3), I choose (Romans 12:2) over and over again, to believe His purpose and live Hebrews 12, as I run this race set before me with my eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith.
When the messiness of this life comes to a close and our time has been fulfilled based on “the time You have set”, may we hear like the servant in Matthew 25, “well done, good and faithful servant,” from the One who gives us life here and forever (John 4).
