For many years I prayed that somehow I would be with my mother and father as they passed away. I had no idea how this could happen as we lived in Texas and they lived in Tennessee and my husband and I both had demanding jobs. God graciously answered this prayer with miraculous orchestrations of events with both my mother and father and Ken's mother and father. Not only was I blessed to be with them as they transitioned, but I was together with other family members. Each event was sacred, holy, full of worship, tears, smiles and hugs.
Attending their deaths was very much like attending a birth. Would each labored breath be the last one? As the hours went by, we longed for the end of their hard work. When that end came, we wept in worship and with relief. Indeed, each one was born anew into their blessed eternal state.
I longed for their spirit to say aloud to me, "I made it! I'm here! All is well!" Then the Spirit came to me and reminded me that this has already been said - John 11:25-26 and many other scriptures from the Word. Blessed be Yahweh, our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
I was at my friend Bethany's deathbed, but she wasn't able to speak by that point. I'd seen her just three days prior, I was dropping off dinner at her home and didn't realize she was behind me, lying on the couch in her living room until she said, "hey girl," and smiled, though I knew she was in tremendous pain and her breathing was labored. She asked for a hug, and I gave her careful one - her arms were black and blue from IVs. I still didn't know it would be our last one. I tried to ask how she was feeling, but she brushed it off with a small laugh and asked instead how I was. We only talked for a few minutes. I know I told her I loved her, and she said the same.
The week she was told there was nothing more the doctors could do for her, Bethany asked to come by my house. She wanted to tell me in person. We poured peppermint tea but neither of us drank any. She cried, yes, but she seemed so...calm. Resolved. She looked me in the eye and said, "Bethany, my girls are going to need you. Will you help them? I know where I'm going, and I know I'm going to be okay. But I worry about them...they're going to need you to love them." Her girls are the same age as my children, right on the cusp of being teenagers. I wanted to tell her not to talk like that (like Peter scolding Jesus for referencing the cross) but she was making necessary arrangements, staring death down and refusing to wither in fear, loving like a mother does right to the very end.
I will need to ponder this question more. For certain, I have experienced death of close family members. I cannot think of one that empowered faith. I was not raised in faith. I will try to think of others in faith who I knew and see if I can remember something. I look forward to reading others stories.
My sweet mother had so much faith and love . She would say, “I just love everybody!” And she did. We would sing hymns and her voice was so beautiful. As much faith as she had, she would still say how she hoped she was going to Heaven. I would read 1 John 5:13 to her and tell her she can know! As we sat at her death bed, I had such peace because I knew, and I knew she would realize what she had hoped for so many years. When I saw her at her funeral, I wanted her to be able to tell me exactly how wonderful it was to be with Jesus! She was home where she had longed to be…
I have a high school friend that has publicly shared his cancer journey. He’s had some tough things in life. He’s recently moved states to be closer to family as he’s chosen no more chemo as it’s no longer effective. He said people have said he’s had so much happen to him and wonder why he’s had it so rough. He said a better question was why would Jesus die for him. Completely turns the focus on God.
My Dad's last words were, "I love the LORD!"
For many years I prayed that somehow I would be with my mother and father as they passed away. I had no idea how this could happen as we lived in Texas and they lived in Tennessee and my husband and I both had demanding jobs. God graciously answered this prayer with miraculous orchestrations of events with both my mother and father and Ken's mother and father. Not only was I blessed to be with them as they transitioned, but I was together with other family members. Each event was sacred, holy, full of worship, tears, smiles and hugs.
Attending their deaths was very much like attending a birth. Would each labored breath be the last one? As the hours went by, we longed for the end of their hard work. When that end came, we wept in worship and with relief. Indeed, each one was born anew into their blessed eternal state.
I longed for their spirit to say aloud to me, "I made it! I'm here! All is well!" Then the Spirit came to me and reminded me that this has already been said - John 11:25-26 and many other scriptures from the Word. Blessed be Yahweh, our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
I was hoping to hear a story like this. Thank you, Joy! What a beautiful story. God is so generous with us.
Wow Joy! That’s a beautiful story.
This is a beautiful story of homecoming and faith! I love it!
I was at my friend Bethany's deathbed, but she wasn't able to speak by that point. I'd seen her just three days prior, I was dropping off dinner at her home and didn't realize she was behind me, lying on the couch in her living room until she said, "hey girl," and smiled, though I knew she was in tremendous pain and her breathing was labored. She asked for a hug, and I gave her careful one - her arms were black and blue from IVs. I still didn't know it would be our last one. I tried to ask how she was feeling, but she brushed it off with a small laugh and asked instead how I was. We only talked for a few minutes. I know I told her I loved her, and she said the same.
The week she was told there was nothing more the doctors could do for her, Bethany asked to come by my house. She wanted to tell me in person. We poured peppermint tea but neither of us drank any. She cried, yes, but she seemed so...calm. Resolved. She looked me in the eye and said, "Bethany, my girls are going to need you. Will you help them? I know where I'm going, and I know I'm going to be okay. But I worry about them...they're going to need you to love them." Her girls are the same age as my children, right on the cusp of being teenagers. I wanted to tell her not to talk like that (like Peter scolding Jesus for referencing the cross) but she was making necessary arrangements, staring death down and refusing to wither in fear, loving like a mother does right to the very end.
That is a story of hope in the midst of death. Beautiful!
I will need to ponder this question more. For certain, I have experienced death of close family members. I cannot think of one that empowered faith. I was not raised in faith. I will try to think of others in faith who I knew and see if I can remember something. I look forward to reading others stories.
My sweet mother had so much faith and love . She would say, “I just love everybody!” And she did. We would sing hymns and her voice was so beautiful. As much faith as she had, she would still say how she hoped she was going to Heaven. I would read 1 John 5:13 to her and tell her she can know! As we sat at her death bed, I had such peace because I knew, and I knew she would realize what she had hoped for so many years. When I saw her at her funeral, I wanted her to be able to tell me exactly how wonderful it was to be with Jesus! She was home where she had longed to be…
Beautiful
I have a high school friend that has publicly shared his cancer journey. He’s had some tough things in life. He’s recently moved states to be closer to family as he’s chosen no more chemo as it’s no longer effective. He said people have said he’s had so much happen to him and wonder why he’s had it so rough. He said a better question was why would Jesus die for him. Completely turns the focus on God.