Mom’s Party and My Memories

When I got to Mom’s assisted living apartment on Sunday, I found her up and dressed and ready for a small breakfast. She remembered the party we were getting ready to have for her and was looking forward to it. The party was a blessing with her family, a few workers from the facility and a few friends. What mercy from our loving heavenly Father!

Mom is well loved. Her life has been an encouragement to many over the years. She endured her mother’s death just before her teens, and living in a home she ran away from at age 16. However, she ended up at her godmother’s house. Mom didn’t know this lady, but she listened to her and returned home. She was narrowly saved from going into prostitution, and stayed home till she married my dad at 19.

Dad and Mom had a good life; she met Jesus for the second time as an adult, and her life started changing. She was very hungry for God. By the time I was getting messed up in college, Dad had met Jesus and they both received the Holy Spirit, equipping them to war for their children.—I owe my salvation and freedom to God and my parents.

Then Mom's life crashed in 1983 when Dad, Mom, my kids and I were driving to visit my sister and her family. A large semi hit us head on, and the car was totaled to where we were told it was a miracle that anyone made it out alive. Dad died on the way to the hospital. Mom was quite hurt and almost died a couple times in the ensuing days, but she eventually learned to walk again, and ended up in church where she taught others about God’s love and faithfulness through her story and knowledge of the Bible. I am so grateful for the godly influence she’s had on my life. She has also mentored others, visited the sick, and been a good friend.

Now that friendship is being returned in spades. People are remembering her and her family during this season. I pray that her last days here be filled with God’s peace, His joy and His love. Happy birthday, Mom. I love you.

92nd Birthday Musings

I am thinking about my Mom again today. Tomorrow is her 92nd birthday, and we are having the birthday party she wanted today. In a couple hours I need to be with her as they get her ready. I am hoping and praying for God to help wake her up in a good mood so she can enjoy the festivities we are having at her assisted living residence.

The last few months Mom seems to really be going downhill cognitively and becoming very volatile mood-wise. What is my response to be? How do I love her under such difficult circumstances? I have learned I need to immerse myself in God’s Word, seeking His heart and mind moment by moment. Last night I had to confess extreme weariness—weariness to the point that I didn’t even want to seek God about it or anything. Who did I confess that to? God. Seldom in my life have I been that honest with Him, but if I’m trying to draw close to Him, I’ve learned this kind of honesty needs to become a way of life.

This morning I woke up looking for miracles again. At this point, I don’t even know what kind of miracles we need, but I’m looking up and I’m available for whatever He wants. Whatever’s going on down here, God’s in His heaven and in me, so I’m looking for how He wants to manifest Himself. Have a good day everyone—I’m going to!

God’s Faithfulness Has the Last Word!

Good morning, everyone! Been thinking about trusting God lately. I don’t know about you, but my trust hasn’t come without fear. My fears haven’t so much been of the “What if God doesn’t show up?” variety, but run more along the “Have I been faithful with my part?” line of thought.

When there is a lot at stake and I don’t know what is required and I have to trust that others will do what they said they would do, it is easy for me to lose it. As if I can make things turn out right.

The Bible says, “Having done all, stand.” But what if I don’t know if I’ve done all? God wants me to trust Him regardless. He is in control even when people are unfaithful or make mistakes. His way is perfect even when mine isn’t.

Thank You, Jesus! I know, and had it confirmed yesterday by reading a devotional from Christine Caine’s Unexpected that I need to keep looking up past the problem and see Jesus, my unchanging, faithful Friend and Lord as higher, bigger, and greater than the problem, because He is!!