I don't normally like to share "personal" stuff on the web, but this has been on my heart for a couple of weeks now, and I have decided to share it here. I understand that there will be a few who scoff and don't believe my experience, and that's ok I suppose, but others may find comfort from what happened.
As you know, my Mom passed away on February 8th..........for almost three weeks she had been in the Hospital, and then in Hospice. During that time, we here in Bama (as much of the country) were experiencing horrible winter weather. Freezing cold, dark stormy skies day after day, without any end in sight it seemed.
On that Saturday afternoon (Feb 8th) I happened to be at home trying to get some rest........I had just woke up about 4 PM from a nap, made coffee, and sat down in the living room. Praying for my Mom, and wrestling with the knowledge that while I did not want her to pass, I also did not want her to stay here in this life and suffer. These emotions had been tearing at me for weeks, and what comfort I received was from the Word of God. The Apostle Paul spoke of being absent from the Lord, and even Jesus prayed "if it's possible, let this cup pass from me........" And the comfort I received was in the last words of Jesus in that prayer when He said............"nevertheless, not My will, but Thy will be done."
Sitting there, praying............and suddenly the dark skies parted and bright, and I mean BRIGHT sunlight shown through my window right on my face...........WOW.....It was wonderful...........I actually laughed........and I immediately said:
"Look Mom, God has sent you a sunbeam to ride home on......."
Within a few minutes, the clouds closed in, and the sun was gone..........and then the phone rang. It was my brother, who was at the Hospice with Mom, he told me that Mom had just passed away.
"I know," I said, "She passed right by here to say goodbye on her way home."
Do I believe in God? Yes......................
Within minutes of all this happening, I felt..............I truly felt the "emptiness" around me, for my Mom's presence, or spirit, whatever one wishes to call it, was gone from this world. That emptiness is still with me, but God is filling my heart with His undying love, and while I mourn for my loss, I am joyous for her gain!
As you know, my Mom passed away on February 8th..........for almost three weeks she had been in the Hospital, and then in Hospice. During that time, we here in Bama (as much of the country) were experiencing horrible winter weather. Freezing cold, dark stormy skies day after day, without any end in sight it seemed.
On that Saturday afternoon (Feb 8th) I happened to be at home trying to get some rest........I had just woke up about 4 PM from a nap, made coffee, and sat down in the living room. Praying for my Mom, and wrestling with the knowledge that while I did not want her to pass, I also did not want her to stay here in this life and suffer. These emotions had been tearing at me for weeks, and what comfort I received was from the Word of God. The Apostle Paul spoke of being absent from the Lord, and even Jesus prayed "if it's possible, let this cup pass from me........" And the comfort I received was in the last words of Jesus in that prayer when He said............"nevertheless, not My will, but Thy will be done."
Sitting there, praying............and suddenly the dark skies parted and bright, and I mean BRIGHT sunlight shown through my window right on my face...........WOW.....It was wonderful...........I actually laughed........and I immediately said:
"Look Mom, God has sent you a sunbeam to ride home on......."
Within a few minutes, the clouds closed in, and the sun was gone..........and then the phone rang. It was my brother, who was at the Hospice with Mom, he told me that Mom had just passed away.
"I know," I said, "She passed right by here to say goodbye on her way home."
Do I believe in God? Yes......................
Within minutes of all this happening, I felt..............I truly felt the "emptiness" around me, for my Mom's presence, or spirit, whatever one wishes to call it, was gone from this world. That emptiness is still with me, but God is filling my heart with His undying love, and while I mourn for my loss, I am joyous for her gain!
