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| Mom enjoying holding her great-granddaughter, Senna. |
The night we heard the news, I told my husband, Mike, that we needed to make a “Going to Heaven” mix CD for her. He replied that he had been thinking the very same thing. My mom is now there, in heaven. She placed her trust in Jesus as her Savior many years ago. When she was diagnosed with leukemia and informed that she only had days or months to live, that trust continued. She inspired and encouraged me! As the pastor stated at her memorial service, she lived well, and she died well. I would say that her whole life was a song of praise.
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| Mom enjoying a last trip to World's End State Park. |
I was privileged to help care for her during her last days here on earth. Many times I heard her praying, unaware of my presence. I heard her telling Jesus how much she loved Him and simply praising Him with joy in the midst of her suffering. She talked about how excited she was to be going to heaven.
In her honor, I’d like to share a devotion that she inspired. May you also know the joy and peace of trusting in Jesus. Oh, and we did make that music mix, and she enjoyed it a lot!
Collecting Seashells
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29
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| Mom enjoying her quiet time with God. |
My mom has mastered the principle of letting all things make her more like Jesus. Recently, Mom was getting ready to have surgery on her left shoulder. When I asked what help she’d need and mentioned that it would be hard for a while, she said that she’d just learn to use her right arm better. What a great perspective! Instead of asking God to change her circumstances, she asks God to use her circumstances to change her.
When Mom and I go to the beach together, she likes to collect shells. She doesn’t look for that “perfect shell”, though. Instead, she seeks out shells that are broken and have had their rough edges smoothed and shaped by repeated exposure to waves and sand. To me this is a picture of a Christian – a broken life allowing God to shape it by whatever waves and sand He chooses, abandoning itself to Him with joy in the process! I know God’s goal is to make me more like Jesus, and I know that He knows best how to accomplish this. Psalm 138:8 promises, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.”
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| Mom and me |
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| My husband, Mike, making my mom laugh (as usual:). |
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| A birthday celebration! |
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