I've been on an open line, pretty much all day long, with my Daddy - Abba Father - waiting to hear, from Him, what He wants me to say on this memorable, bittersweet day. I've been studying a verse in Acts for my next post. It is not fitting with my heart's desire to honor my mother today... so I'm putting that "thanks verse" on hold for now and sharing some thoughts, some memories, some lessons from mom.
By the way, this is the 100th post on Deep Calls Unto Deep. That's cool, I guess. With that in mind, I thought I'd take you back to the beginning and reprint the inspiration for this calling (from the first post Oct. 8, 2012) - in red, mom's favorite color.
With an outpouring of encouragement and love, through my sharing mom's story on Caring Bridge, many asked that I continue to write. This request was firstly, surprising, then humbling, then deeply moving. It got me to asking God what it meant. Shortly after mom's 70th birthday celebration (August 5th, 2012), I got a calling, a direction from God, during my devotional time. He told me that I needed to share the single most important lesson that I learned from drawing close to Him during this extremely difficult trial, this journey of witnessing my mother fight an incredible fight with breast cancer that took her to her true home in heaven on September 8th, 2012 (exactly one month ago). He told me that I was to teach others what He had taught me. Whoa! Me? Teach others His mercy and love? They say He doesn't call the equipped but equips the called. I'd better learn quickly how to be a better listener I guess!
The most important and foundational lesson that I learned is based on these verses in Colossians 3:
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:12-17
I learned that even on the most depressing, dreadful days that if I was able to thank God for the good things on that day, be honest - there is ALWAYS something good in EVERY day, that He would leave my wounded heart filled with peace. Always. "And be thankful." Short and simple, so it seems. No, really, it's not always simple. Some days I struggled so much to force myself to be thankful. It's a good thing that mom's "stubborn German" came out in me on those days. Thankfully her stubbornness was not one of negativity but of fighting for good things. Perseverance.
My "deep calling" from my God is to be thankful and to teach others how to do that in every day. I'm going to give it a shot. Believe with me, pray with me that He will reveal His messages and allow my mind to grasp His meaning and share His heart.
"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26
The attributes from Colossians 3 that we are asked to clothe ourselves with - compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... are all the strongest most loving parts of my mother's legacy. Also, it was her greatest desire that there would be peace in our family and in her own - the peacemaker - the mediator. "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (v.13) She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, friend, nurse, grandmother... a very humble, loving spirit.
In looking at the neat information that I'm allowed to see as the author of this blog, I've noticed that "A Mother's Love" (posted May 12, 2013 - Mother's Day) has been viewed a few times today. Somebody else is remembering mom today. Thanks.
Another verse that makes me think of mom is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
When I read her that verse, mom mustered the strength, on an incredibly desperate day of suffering, to whisper, "I wish everyone lived by that." I'll never forget that moment. I'll never forget her meek voice with such powerful words... for everyone.
And, of course, her favorite:
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,a
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Mom also loved and ministered to many with the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray - The Lord's Prayer. My middle brother has a beautiful singing voice and shared this prayer in song at many special family gatherings including mom's funeral. Here is a link of Andrea Bocelli singing it accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAFj2-u2cGQ
I'll leave you with these lyrics from another song beautifully sung at mom's funeral (and the link to listen to it on YouTube). We were so blessed to physically witness, first hand, this song being played out in mom's final moments. I literally had the privilege to actually feel the last beat of my mom's heart and see the peace that followed:
I'll leave you with these lyrics from another song beautifully sung at mom's funeral (and the link to listen to it on YouTube). We were so blessed to physically witness, first hand, this song being played out in mom's final moments. I literally had the privilege to actually feel the last beat of my mom's heart and see the peace that followed:
Come To Jesus - Chris Rice
With your final heartbeat,
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace,
And laugh on glory's side
And fly to Jesus
And live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PANiveIKVX0
"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b
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