For the past few years (since 2007) Mother’s Day has taken on an unusual feel. I no longer have a mother on earth to whom I can send a card, call, or purchase a gift. When my mom died suddenly in the summer of 2006 it left me with a lot of strange feelings.
I have a sadness for myself, for my children and grandchildren (who will never meet her). I even feel sorry for her because she wasn’t able to attend any of my children’s weddings or see any of my grandchildren – like so many other moms. At times, I feel a little jealous of others who still have their mom. And a little angry at the way many of them are treated. I realized now that I am an orphan. Both my mom & dad have gone to Heaven, and I have no parents on earth. Wow!?! I still have Jesus and the hope of Heaven, but life is a little different. I am now in the driver’s seat of our family (I’m the oldest sibling) and it takes awhile to get comfortable.
Over time my bad feelings have been replaced with more good feelings. My mom set a good, consistent example of a Christian mother all my life. I saw her weaknesses and struggles in a few areas. But she always had a deep faith that God was in control of life and I think I caught a little of her trust in God. I am thankful for the memories of my mom sitting in her chair reading her Bible and making notes. I also remember her singing loud in church. She usually sang in the choir, but when she sat with us everyone turned around to see who was singing so loud. It was embarrassing when I was a kid, but she really believed the songs she sang. She took good care of my dad all our life and especially during his year-long battle with cancer. Then she took care of my aging grandmother for a few years. I guess there’s no good time to leave this world (for those left behind), but she was able to leave after Jennifer graduated from college and Jill graduated from high school, and before Josh went to Iraq. She died suddenly just before one of her favorite events – a Reds baseball game – doing something she loved – writing a letter to my brother in Cambodia.
That’s enough of my ramblings. Some reading this have a mom (dad, or other loved one) already in heaven. Here’s something that has helped me. Just before Jesus left this world for Heaven, he told His disciples (and us) ‘I am with you always.’ He promised His spiritual presence with us. Even if we can’t see Him, He’s with me always. And Paul says that ‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.’ This means that when believers die, though they go to Heaven, the emphasis is that they go to Jesus. So… if Jesus is with me and my mom is with Jesus… somehow she can’t be very far away. And one day we will be together with Jesus.
Those who have a mom on earth, let me encourage you to do what you can do now for your mom. As many of us know, one day all the opportunities to show her you love her will one day be gone in this lifetime. Take some time to make sure you tell her and show her your love. I realize that situations may have distanced your relationship and it may not be all it could & should be, but she is the mom God gave you and He wants you to show her love and honor.