From the Heart
“And on that day when my strength is failing, the end draws near and my time has come … Still my soul will sing Your praise unending … ten thousand years and then forevermore.”
– “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redmon
Mom was not a fan of contemporary music but I think she would appreciate the lyrics of that song.
The last “amen” for my mother came at 2:10 a.m. on Thursday. Mom and Dad will be spending their first Christmas, together, in 14 years. She was ready to be with him and Jesus.
For the three days before her passing, I was able to spend three hours a day with her, sitting at her bedside. We knew her time was near. She was at peace knowing she would soon fall into the arms of Jesus.
The first day, we were both singing. The second day, she mouthed the words. The third day I sang to her as she started her journey home.
Honestly, it was so peaceful.
My friend, Corinne Gunter, had said to me, “Death is not an event, it is a journey.” We are all going there. For some, like my mother, it is a long one. I was blessed to have her for 65 years.
“Amazing Grace,” “What a Day That Will Be,” “Going Home,” “God on the Mountain” and several other hymns, could be heard coming from her room at Prairie Lakes. She sang alto, I sang soprano. Oh, the sweet harmony of a mother and daughter as they shared their love and the love for their Lord.
We prayed the Lord’s Prayer. I quoted scripture. I prayed sweet prayers over her, thanking God in each prayer for giving me the best mother there ever was.
Hymns and prayers took her home to heaven.
Her love will remain here in every redbird I see, every recipe of hers that I use, every time I read one of her favorite scriptures and when my heart embraces so many memories.
Mom taught me the first scripture I ever memorized, John 3:16. Because of that scripture and her faith, I know I will see her again in heaven.
“For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
65 years with my mother here on earth. 10,000 years and then forevermore in heaven.
Janet this is a great tribute to your Mom. Not everyone gets this type of opportunity. You are blessed to have her passing go this way. Singing is a great way to go or be prepared to go to Heaven. I know we will be signing up there. What a beautiful testimony of Faith in Christ. This is the reason for the season.. I know you will miss her but Praise the Lord we will see her again. What a Day that will be. Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints. God bless you and Chuck. Merry Christmas.