Dad's Epi-Fannie

I know that's not a word, but it has been part of Dad's vocabulary for as long as I can remember. The real word is epiphany, which means:

1 capitalized : January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ

2: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being

3 a (1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure b: a revealing scene or moment

Definition from Merry and Web.

Dad's epiphany came this weekend as BroBill was praying ... "Thanks God that Ray lived."

Dad immediately began to cry. Mom asks, "Why are you crying, dear?"

Dad responds, "I just realized that my brothers and sisters came to Nashville because I was .. or could have ... died ..."

Dad proceeded to ask about what happened. Mom shares her personal journey about relying on the Sovereignty of God. While she asked God to save her husband, Mom really claimed God's Sovereignty in her life "... whatever happens ... whatever happens ..."

Dad remains speechless, trembling and crying ... Dad wonders how God is going to use this accident ... Dad wonders what he is going to do to further God's kingdom having survived such intense trauma ... Dad continues to cry ... feeling overwhelmed by God's choosing him for this journey and in the way God has been healing every part of his body.

Dad, I don't have all the answers ... In fact, I rarely have a coherent thought scribbled on these pages ... but perhaps our friend Paul would tell you that Christ's work in you ... and this family ... and this church ... and this journey ... and this ViolentSilence ... will be revealed to you and the World in God's perfect timing. The key is the revelation of Christ ... through you ... to others ...

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)