His doctor called him “miracle man” because he had survived stage 4 lung cancer and countless other health issues longer than any patient he had ever treated. In my eyes, he was a “miracle man” as well. Always the optimist, he never lost his sense of humor during his many-year battle with heart issues, neuropathy, the loss of a leg to diabetes, and finally lung cancer that sapped him of his strength and his appetite. His real name was Ron, and he was my dear brother. Though I was 18 months older than he was, he always called me “Little Sister” because he was 6’2”, 275 pounds, and I was much smaller than he was until the cancer robbed him of 125 pounds.

My last visit with Ron was on June 21, 2018. Bedridden, unable to feed himself, barely able to sit up when physically lifted and placed in his wheelchair, he was still optimistic and still searching for hope.

It took my son Jon to lift his lanky frame from the bed, his wife Merry Lynn to drag along the oxygen tank, and me to open doors and assist in maneuvering him to the car so that we could drive him to the doctor’s office. When we finally arrived, we had to take the foot pedals off the wheelchair to make room for Jon to lift him out of the car. Then Jon pushed the wheelchair while I carried his feet and Merry Lynn rolled the oxygen.  In retrospect we were, no doubt, an amusing entourage. If not for the severity of the situation, I’m sure we looked ridiculous! The office staff laughed in amusement as we tried and tried to put the foot pedals back on the wheelchair. No success. The nurse came to escort us into the examination room. She carried feet, I pushed, Merry Lynn brought the oxygen.

Now assembled, we tried to explain to the doctor our challenges with transporting Ron. Jon made the comment that it would have been much easier if Ron had just relaxed and bear-hugged him tighter. Ron, who sat silently and seemingly disengaged, slowly raised his head and quipped, “Well, I just didn’t want to get my nose any further up your armpit or I could have done better!” The room erupted in laughter. Ron was famous for his one liners, and a good laugh relieved some of the tension in an otherwise difficult day. King Solomon knew as much when he penned his famous proverb, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

Dr. Rees, a wonderful oncologist who is ever the encourager and the optimist, prescribed a new experimental drug—one that had a 70 percent success rate in reducing tumors with few side effects. He commented as we prepared to leave that if the drug was successful, we would all see a “real miracle.” Hope resonated in his encouraging words.

Hope—that’s what we all want. Ron asked me three times to tell him what the doctor had said during his visit. Every time a big smile spread across his haggard face as he said, “That’s encouraging, isn’t it?”

Ron the “miracle man,” was ever hopeful; however, he was able to take only a few doses of the “miracle drug” before he met real Hope face to face.

According to Merry Lynn, Ron awoke early on the morning of June 23. He ate a few bites of breakfast. Then he cheerfully welcomed Misty, his home health aide, when she came to help with his bath. Misty was concerned that his blood pressure was too low and suggested calling the doctor. With his usual upbeat manner, though, he quipped to her and Merry Lynn that “he had a good feeling” about the day.

In response, Merry Lynn asked him, “If you were to go to heaven today, would you prefer to go from home or from the hospital?”  His response? “I want to stay right here in my bed where I can see my birds.” Ron loved nature and the outdoors and had several bird feeders outside his window.

Later in the day, he asked Merry Lynn to sit with him as they shared a hamburger for lunch. Needing to put some gardening tools in the garage, Merry Lynn walked outside for a few short minutes. To her surprise and dismay, Ron was unresponsive when she returned. He had slipped away to his new “home” to meet Hope face to face.

In a discussion about heaven and dying a few weeks earlier, Ron told me that he always assumed he would just go to sleep when he died—and he did! He just fell asleep very peacefully and woke up, I believe, in heaven.

When I learned of his passing, I was immediately reminded of a dream—or a vision—I had had a few weeks earlier. In the vision Ron was with my dear husband, Gerry, and my precious grandson, Garrett, who both moved to heaven within the past two years. Both Gerry and Garrett were laughing as they stood arm in arm watching Ron dance a jig.

Ron was whole again—youthful, smiling from ear to ear, white teeth glistening, blue eyes twinkling. He was clad in a crisp blue shirt and khaki shorts, no longer missing the leg he’d lost to diabetes. He no longer needed a cane or a walker, and he was dancing!

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2, 4 tells us:

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”

For Ron, his time to die had passed. It was now a time of laughter and dancing—no more crying, no more pain, no more medicine and no more wheelchairs.

Isaiah 25:8 assures us that “He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.”

Ron had experienced the ultimate healing! Ron met the REAL MIRACLE MAN, Jesus Christ, and he had found the ultimate Hope—one not found in any pill, drug, or surgery.

Death brings sorrow for those left behind but great joy for the ones leaving if they know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Ron did!

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death,” Romans 8:1-2

If you died today, are you sure you would go to heaven?  If not,  I’d encourage you to check out the ABCs of salvation.

It’s simple!

Acknowledge that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

Believe that Jesus Christ our Lord came to this earth as a man and died on a cross to save you from your sins. (John 3:16)

Confess your sins and commit your life to Him (Romans 10:9-10)

You’ll be glad you did! Your life here will never be the same as you enjoy the abundant life! (John 10:10) and in His time, you, too, may dance your way into the presence of the Miracle Man, Jesus Christ!

How about you? Any thoughts or experiences you’d like to share? I have appreciated your comments on past posts, and I’d love to hear from you