My mom was a woman you would want to meet. When she walked into a room, there was a joy there that drew people to her. She welcomed anyone into her home without hesitation. She was absolutely hilarious, fun to be around, and was not one to take herself too seriously. Her cookies were awful, but her chicken enchiladas were to die for. While other mom's dreaded the time when school was let out for the summer, she couldn't wait for it!! She is the reason I am a pianist and have a passion for music. Watching her play the piano as a little one, I wanted to play just like her. Ruthie, Troy, Bekah and I talked to her everyday, no matter which part of the country we were in, no matter where we were in life. She loved Jesus and helped me understand why I needed to say "yes" to Him. She is the reason our family was so close and a big part of why we have remained so to this day. I am very thankful that God gave me the gift of a mom who loved me no matter what, loved life and lived it fully to the end, and left a legacy that has impacted many people's lives.
Especially now that I have Kate in my life, I ache for my mom. I have questions all the time about what Bek, Ruthie, Troy and I were like as babies, is it ok that Kate's daycare is feeding her a cookie everyday, what does this rash mean, how long is too long to go without pooping (for Kate, of course), is it bad that Kate doesn't have teeth yet...and the list goes on. Yet, in His perfect way, God has placed people in my life that I CAN call and ask these questions to. The bottom line being, I miss my mom...I miss her terribly.
The "inspiration" for writing this came at church on Sunday as we were singing this song, "Revelation Song." It is a powerful song in itself, quoting scripture from the book of Revelation, but something more struck me at that moment - I was singing to the same God that my mom stands before in Heaven - maybe even singing herself! It touched my heart in such a way that I just started weeping - the "makeup gone, Kleenex sticking to your face, un-pretty" kind of crying. This is what we were singing:
YouTube - Revelation Song - Kari Jobe
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him
Who sits on Heaven's mercy seat
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything, and I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
To You, the only wise King
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything, and I will adore You
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name Jesus,
Your Name is power, breath and living water, such a marvelous mystery
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything, and I will adore You.
What an incredible promise we have as believers in Christ that we will see our precious loves again. Where I feel that my mom was taken too early in her life, too early in MY life, I find rest and peace in the fact that God has a perfect plan for each of our lives. He was ready to have my mom in Heaven and He leaves me here on earth because He is not finished with my life. Our ultimate purpose on this earth is to bring glory to Jesus. He chose to glorify Himself by bringing my mom to Heaven...I don't understand it...I don't have to, but I know His plan is truly perfect. As a family, we have grown together and in our relationships with Jesus through this hellish experience in a way that I couldn't have even imagined was possible.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to HIM be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
