Smiling toward heaven and eternity

Jordan River Mama’s about to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land … Heaven with all the Glory of the Lord

About a year ago, I took a six-week course to become a volunteer in the No One Dies Alone program. If patients have no one to be with them while they are actively dying, volunteers who have received the training and are available sit with the patient, pray with the patient, read to the patient, talk with the patient if the patient is able, and hold the patient’s hand if wanted.

I have a folder in my car ready at a moment’s notice with guidelines and instructions, the book Urgent Whispers, tips, Scripture, and paper and pen. I’ve also prepared a playlist of iTunes hymns and praise music just for the time I might need it.

Little did I know that God was preparing me to sit with Mama as she prepared to look into the face of Jesus.

I’ve read Urgent Whispers; I’ve held her hand; I’ve whispered Scriptures describing heaven to her; I’ve kissed her, I’ve rubbed her head, and I’ve played the hymns and praise music for her.

I had planned to minister to the dying. I had planned to minister to Mama.

Yet, I did not anticipate the blessings I would receive from her as she lifted one foot high toward heaven with her tiptoes on earth.

Sitting with Mama caused me to reflect upon her legacy. Her family is her life. While I wasn’t always there for her, she was always there for me.

Mama and Daddy taught me the value of their commitment to each other … until death did they part … 53 years after they wed.

Always a lady, she taught me the power of image and reputation. She did not instruct me. She showed me through her life. Even in assisted living, she has been known for the lady that she is.

God is central to her purpose. Her family recognizes it; her friends see it, and the staff in her assisted living facility understand it.

Streams of health care providers have been through her doors to kiss her, tell her they love her, and tell her “Goodbye.”

Mama lived her talk: “Patience, Pluck, and Perseverance.”

Patience in waiting upon the Lord to take her home.

Pluck in choosing a path of relationship building.

Perseverance in stepping out in strength and dignity even in pain.

 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. Proverbs 31:25

Mama, you have blessed many beyond measure, and you are smiling at a future filled with the Glory of the Lord and rewards unimagined. Enjoy eternity. I’ll join you in God’s timing.

My prayer:

Father, thank You for the hope that you have given the world, and thank You that Mama has walked this world with strength and dignity. Thank You that she is smiling at the future. May we all walk this world with strength and dignity as we smile at the future.

 

God’s lovingkindness brings peace

Lavendar

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus gives us peace with God, a peace that is not dependent on our actions or others’ actions. This peace was bought with His blood and His flesh. Jesus paid the price for our sins and wiped away all that separated us from God.

Jesus breathes His peace upon us; all we have to do is take it in, live, move, and rest in His glorious peace.

His lovingkindness brings peace!

My prayer for you

May you walk in the peace of God and may you lilve, move, and rest in His glorious peace.

Jesus says, “Come” … Come for healing, for saving from the storm, for rest

Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:28-31

The day began with sad news. Herod had just beheaded John the Baptist. John and Jesus were cousins, but their bond was even greater than family – John had leaped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb when Jesus, in Mary’s womb, came into Elizabeth’s home. John prepared the people for the ministry of Jesus, and John baptized Jesus.

“Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself.”

But the people followed Jesus, and He looked out on the crowd and had compassion on them and healed them. At the end of the day, Jesus miraculously fed them, 5,000 men and their families.

Jesus put the disciples in a boat and told them to go to the other side, and he sent the crowd away.

“He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.”

Late that night, Jesus saw the waves crashing against disciples’ boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus stepped into the waves and walked toward the boat. The disciples thought He was a ghost and were afraid.

“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”

“Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

“Come.”

Peter threw his leg over the boat and stepped into the raging waves and began walking toward Jesus, but he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the storm and began to sink.

“Lord, save me!”

Jesus grabbed Peter and pulled him to safety.

In sadness, Jesus says, “Come.”

In weariness, Jesus says, “Come.”

In storms, Jesus says, “Come.”

In whatever circumstance we find ourselves, Jesus says, “Come.”

Will you come to Jesus for healing, for restoration, for calming of your storm, for rest? Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him. He will meet your need.

My prayer for you

Compassionate Father, thank You for sending Your own dear Son to pay the price of our sins by dying on the cross, being buried in the tomb and rising from the dead. Jesus is always there for us, always bidding us to “Come.” May we also have compassion on others in need and bid them to “Come” to Jesus and to “Come” so that we can minister to their needs. Oh what a great and precious promise we have that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us, that He is with His followers always! Thank You, Father. We come to Jesus.

Won’t you come to Jesus and tell Him your needs?