She would be 78 today. I am pretty darn sure she is happily celebrating however old she is in heaven and quite glad she isn't celebrating #78 here on earth! Angels singing and being with Jesus is probably better then a cake and dinner!
Remembering her birthday somehow got me to thinking of blessings. That last Christmas with her was unexpected. Usually we all traveled to MI. But that year she couldn't travel anymore, so I decided to go there and spent a few days with just her and dad. What a blessing! I was able to cook her Christmas dinner....another blessing, even if the meat turned out a little tough :) You see, God knew she would be with him 3 weeks later. HE knew we all (including Scott and family who also were able to spend time with her then) needed that time with her. HE KNEW.....
Fast forward 3 years to this year's Christmas and unexpected blessings. I was able to spend two whole weeks with my family, an unexpected lunch with my best friend, coffee and brunch with two others. None of those were totally planned, but God knew what I needed, so I am choosing to see those as blessings HE gave me because HE knows what we need, when we need it. HE KNOWS what I will face (and you) this year. So I am trying to see all those small blessings as purposeful things God is placing and will place in my life, for a reason, and not overlook or take for granted "random" phone calls, cards in the mail, or a text message.
You see, HE knows what's coming. The good and bad, and He knows what I need to handle both the good and bad.
By the way, I am listening to Adele on my new wireless headphones ... another unexpected Christmas blessing....LOL. Not sure Adele goes with this post, but .... you know.
Lastly, more than once at the end of December, I kept seeing this verse on social media:
Is. 43:18-19
"But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am going to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wastelands."
For another post .....
I too remember my last moments with my mother. We were saying our goodbyes as I was returning to teach in Santiago, Chile. After saying I'll see you when I get back, she responded, "If I'm here..." You are right, God knew I needed to be home that Christmas! She passed in the following March. So many miracles when she passed with Russ in Virginia, Larry in Michigan and me in Chile. Russ and Larry couldn't get a hold of me by phone when they found out and were both flying when Jerry,a missionary colleague from Brazil called to tell me of mom's home going...[Later I found out that the police had called my friend Norma when they found my mother, Norma called a friend...who called Jerry's mother...who called Jerry]. GOD knew I needed to be with my brothers at mom's memorial service! We do serve an AWESOME God! Sorry to hear that you too have this heart wrenching experience...it does help though to see God's hand in the details of our lives.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Mom, I love you.
ReplyDelete