Today is a day of rest, Sunday, April 7, 2013. It's the Lords day.
It's also a day that my Mom is resting peacefully in bed all day to regain some energy spent yesterday sitting up all day. By the end of the day, she was in so much pain that she chose to just stay in bed and do nothing but daydream and relax. Dad by her side, their two little doggies snuggled up next to them.
I spoke to Mom on the phone that resulted in another quality conversation as always. Mom said that she's not looking forward to tomorrow when she starts chemo and has all those doctors visits. I told her that we've been praying for her and asking for strength to help her get through this.
Mom said that she wishes that our phone calls didn't have to consist with our worry about her health and well being. She said, "I wish that our calls could be Where are you? Are you going through Boston again? What is Wyoming like this time of year? How's the weather in Los Angeles?"
I told her, "in the past, I've called 'Just Because.' Just because I wanted to call and say hello. I'm calling now 'Just Because.' Just because I still love you no matter what."
Mom thanked me so much for those kind words of encouragement, as she has thanked me so many times for other thoughts of love that I have shared with her.
This brought me to this thought. After listening to several sermons from a wonderful pastor and the messages that he has brought forth, I have learned so much more about God's gifts and how he uses people on earth to bring forth messages to others.
Mom and Dad have been very active people all their lives doing many different projects, traveling to nearby and faraway places just because they wanted to and could when time and money allowed.
So many lives they have touched through their kindness and love towards others.
Now, Mom is ill and I'm sure it's crossed her mind "Why Me? How long must I endure this pain and suffering?"
Let's look back in the bible to a few people that have wanted to ask the same question and in the end prospered by never losing sight of God's promise.
Joseph, one son of many children in his family. He was shunned and shamed by his older brothers because he was so favored by his parents. So, the brothers threw him in a pit, then sold him to slavery then Joseph ended up in prison for many years. But never once did Joseph lose his focus on God and in the end, he was brought out and prospered greatly as a wise man to the king.
Job, a father whose son left thinking that he knew all he needed to know and didn't need his father any more. So the son took all that was rightful to him an left. But Job, being a faithful father, never stopped looking for his son...never lost focus of God's promise that his son would soon return. Job was blessed with his sons return and was rewarded with a whole family again.
Those are just a couple of people in the bible that have influence on our promise that God has for us. His promise of love and eternal life with him.
What does this have to do with my Mom? Many things, she and Dad are staying strong in the Lord keeping him strong in their sights for healing. They read Psalms 91 daily. That is one of the best chapters in the bible that claims a free security system over your lives from the Devil.
Just like Joseph, he kept God in his sights and even though he spent years in prison, he kept claiming Gods truth and promise and came out a better man.
Job and the prodigal son. We have had a small separation in our family that left some of us wondering what happened? However, with all of our forgiving hearts and Mom and Dad persistently walking to the end of the driveway (so-to-speak) waiting for the return of the family member, they were finally rewarded greatly. The reunion has been better than ever expected and stronger than anticipated. They are truly grateful, thankful and blessed.
Dads love is pouring out with such greatness that he selflessly cares for Mom to her every beckoning need, even without her asking most of the time. Even as simple as just napping next to her with the doggies, or voluntarily fixing her hair.
Many people, friends from church or the community, have come by to visit to see how their doing or to just stop by to say hello.
Mom continues to smile. Dad continues to laugh. All of us girls continue to love our parents and we all continue to pray faithfully for each other.
God really does work in mysterious ways. He has a reason for everything. In the end the rewards can be eternity with Him if we accept what God has in store for all of us, his children.
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