Mother

Today (14th) would have been her 67th birthday. And we would have gotten out the "Happy Birthday" sign and hung it between the posts going into the dining room. And there would be cake and crazy singing and of course, presents. One filled with laughter....

Those are the memories. But she celebrated a different kind of birthday two years ago. One that took her to running on streets of gold, beside crystal seas. But more importantly, a place where she is completely healed and in the presence of the One she loved. For see, my mother had been sick for 30 yrs and had not known too many days without pain. And you could see it in her body. But one thing that you did know-she loved the Lord and knew His word. How do I know? Because she couldn't walk or do much without severe pain, it eventually wore her body out. But the day after she died and I arrived home was one that was sad and painful in the goodbye, but joyous in what I discovered. I went to her room, she was gone and as I turned around, something caught my eye. For there in the closet was an altar-a place she knelt and prayed-her prayer closet. To know her is understand that she could hardly walk, much less bend over. But yet she would kneel in pain before Him. Wow-what service. And all I could think was, "WOW what a heritage she left me." For yes-there was great sadness but great joy. Joy at how she lived. The example she set for me and others that knew her. How she loved Him!!

See we didn't have a great relationship. We fought. Didn't see eye to eye, but I did know that she always loved me. We just had different opinions on everything. It wasn't a great relationship, but not horrible either. Just a lot of tension. But 6 months before she died(not knowing this at the time) God started working on me. I went to counseling and through that God healed our relationship the last six months she was alive. We had a great conversation three days before she died. In fact, Dad and my grandmother feel that she felt she could go because we were okay. So while there is sadness-there is unexplainable joy that God gave me that. He didn't have to. I surely didn't deserve it. But He gave. And because He did, I have no regrets and no guilt from our relationship. What a GREAT God He is!! And one day, again, I will see her. And I will see Him. Oh what joy that will be!!! Are you ready? That is what she would ask everybody she met..are you? Reminds me of the song......


When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,Even so, it is well with my soul.