As Nelson’s mom, partnered with Nelson’s wife Ann Sophie, it’s been our privilege to share Nelson’s personal thoughts with you through these many weeks, detailing his journey from cancer discovery to the end of his earthly life. He was a guy who loved to have conversations about the mysteries and challenges of life, searching for the answers in his Bible. And the older he got, the more he wanted these conversations to center on Jesus Christ.
When he was told he had a deadly lung cancer, it was natural for him to hold on tight to whatever Scripture told him. As the cancer grew stronger, his faith grew stronger still. He had two close calls with death during those eight months when he’d been frightened, bringing him to ask tough faith-questions. But when the real thing came, all fear was gone, and he never wavered.
Ann Sophie and I were both with him when he took his last shallow breath and moved from a hospital bed to the place Jesus had prepared for him in Paradise. Through our tears we were comforted knowing his months of struggling to breathe had ended.
During his funeral we listened to a song called “Finally Home” by Don Wyrtzen. The lyrics spoke perfectly to Nelson’s experience:
When engulfed by the terror of tempestuous seas,- Unknown waves before you roll.
- At the end of doubt and peril is eternity,
- Though fear and conflict seize your soul.
- When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night,
- Oh how lonely death can be.
- At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light,
- For death is swallowed up in victory.
- Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven,
- Of touching a hand and finding it God’s,
- Of breathing new air and finding it celestial,
- Of waking up in glory and finding it home.
~~~~~~~~~~
It was hard not to cry when hearing the phrase, “…breathing new air and finding it celestial.” This miraculous air is now what Nelson is breathing. The cancer has lost its power to clog his lungs, and he can now take deep gulps of this heavenly air. Oh how thrilled he must be!
Though it has sometimes been emotionally difficult to post these journal entries, we hope they’ve encouraged you (as they have us) to hold on tight to your faith in Christ when tough times come, no matter how severe….because He will never let you go.
“The Lord will keep your life….from this time forward and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7,8)
Margaret , you and Ann Sophie are two of the bravest women I ever Had the chance to be blessed by. Reaching out to others from the moment of your grief to honor Nelson and God For the sake of the kingdom. May you be blessed as you have blessed others. Love, Michelle
The Lord has used Nelson’s writings and your postings greatly. God has given you all much courage, and trust in Jesus. You have encouraged us all how to respond to life’s difficulties, in genuineness.
God leads us forever onward!
Margaret and AnnSophie, thank you so much for allowing us to walk through these last days with Nelson. To read about his faith journey through the most difficult time in his life . What an encouragement and an example of having fought the good fight and now in his Lord’s presence for eternity!
Thank you Margaret & Ann Sophie for posting his journal entries. It’s been encouraging and challenging.
It was an honor to call him my friend.
Bless you,
Rob
Thank you Margaret and Ann Sophie for sharing Nelson’s journey these past several months. They have fed my soul. I have been struggling with my own health issues and he has lifted me up during some difficult times. God bless you both and that precious little boy of theirs.
Thanks for sharing Nelson’s battle with us. He was a great inspiration as a Jesus lover. Bless you for your strength.
….it has been a beautiful tribute to Nelson’s courage and faithfulness in our loving Lord. May we all feel that same assuredness and have that same bravery should we be faced with similar circumstance. God bless you and the entire family.
Margaret, thank you for sharing Nelson’s impactful journal. What a testimony to God’s faithfulness as expressed in his writings and your willingness to share them. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you and Ann Sophie. “Finally Home” is such a beautiful and touching song, filled with hope and comfort. May God continue to bless you as you encourage others.