One of my favorite verses is found in Lamentations, an entire book written by Jeremiah as a lament for the loss of his nation. I am struck by this incredible irony that in the midst of his grief and lamenting, he pauses and speaks of God’s faithfulness. “His compassions never fail – they are new every morning - Great is his faithfulness.”
It was the song we sung as we held Mom in her final hours. “Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my father --morning by morning new mercies I see.”
We played Gaither videos and sang along with Bev Shea as he sang, “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land, Yes, I’d rather be led by his nail-pierced hand.”
This past Saturday I overheard Mom say to her nephew. “This has been the most precious journey. Don’t ever let go of Jesus’s hand.” She was weeping as she finished. “He is the best friend I’ve ever had, and he’s never failed me or forsaken me.”
A song I sang several times was “It is well with my Soul.” At that point I realized I was probably singing it more for me than her. The room was indeed filled with peace and it flowed like a river.
She was lucid and feisty up through Saturday. Sunday was a rough day and it was around 10:30 that she began to struggle for her breaths, we stayed close. I expected she would settle down as she had done so many times before. She was a fighter. It was all she knew how to do. At 4:30 in the morning my husband was at her bedside and by 5 we decided to wake Dad up. In her own way she was calling for him.
I know Mom is now part of the cloud of witnesses that Hebrews 12 speaks of – those who have finished their race and cheer us along as we run ours. I’m happy she is with so many loved ones who have gone before. There is grief but it is enveloped in hope.
Blessings Tammy.
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