Monday, May 19, 2014

Early Morning



Early this morning, around two a.m. I found myself unable to sleep.  Thoughts of my mother kept me  awake for I talked to her today.  Like most phone calls she starts out telling me her ailments, about the ones who died recently in the nursing home, who had visited her this Sunday.  Then her mind slipped a little and she started talking about her past roommate who died about three months ago.  She kept saying,  she is better off,  all of us in here would be better off if God took us home, we're not much use for anything.  Those phone calls always leave me sad and well, up late looking for some comfort through songs that sing the hope God provided for those who believe.  I think of a  time years ago, 1985, when my mother and mother in law came to watch our children while I had some needed surgery.  Our church was having a revival with Tim Lee, a Vietnam vet who lost his legs in the war and promised God if He would save his live he would preach the gospel till he died.   My husband took my mother, his mother and the children to church.  I don't even know what he preach on but I knew he would present the gospel and give an old fashioned invitation to those who wanted to know more about getting saved to come forward where someone would meet them and explain what the Bible said about salvation.  

After they return from the revival my mother called me,  right away she told me  she had got saved and was baptized too.  She told me the ladies name who let her through the Roman's road right to the Savior.  And then she repeated, I got baptized too.  If you knew my mother you would know she was scared of having her face put under water for she almost drowned when she was young.  I said, Mom were you scared, no she replied. 

Now she is down to her last years here on earth, she is 87, frail, wheelchair bound, pretty forgetful, but she remembers the night she met the Savior.  I was just with her a week before Mother Day, rolled her out those nursing home doors one sunny day to the Dairy Queen across the street to have a fish sandwich.  A few days later took her for a car ride, drove through the drive through of McDonald's, got us another  fish sandwich and  drove  to the park where we had a picnic in the car with all the  windows rolled down.   Drove her around the country where she use to live, stop a few places and had folks come to the car to say hello.  After about two hours she was wore out so I returned her to the nursing home.  I left sad and as always a little depressed.  After hearing her voice on the phone today I knew it was going to be a long night. Grief always move into my heart when it comes to my mother.  I wish I could roll back the time to when she could walk, drive a car, go fishing at the pond,  fry up the caught fish , and drive me around.   Can't,  so I cling to the old rugged cross knowing  someday God will call her home.  She will leave that wheelchair behind and walk those streets of gold on new strong legs all because she believed what took place on Mt. Calvary. 






                  I wonder what comforts your heart when it's heavy?

26 comments:

  1. K find myself often going to worship music when my heart is heavy. Praying for you to have your load lifted today.

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  2. Thanks Bill for the prayer. My load was lifted as I listen to about an hour of songs as I wrote out my post. Thank God for music that can lift our hearts toward heaven. My mother loves southern gospel music. On Saturday evening they are on TV and she always watches them. Usually they make her cry now because they sing of heaven a lot and she so wants to go.

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  3. This reminds me of the times I had with my mother in her last remaining years on this earth. Those times were indeed depressing but thinking some years later in where she is now fills me with joy.

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  4. Thanks Thomas for the encouragement. Without hope our hearts would stay depressed. I must have listened to that song 20 times and each time my heart got lighter. Again thanks for the encouragement brother.

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  5. We can never bring lost things back but thanks be to God that we also have this imperishable hope to look forward to. This reminded me too of how much I miss my mother and all those loving things she did for her family and friends. May you find comfort in His love and true promises. Hugs to you sister.

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  6. The word of your post rang true in my heart this morning my wise sister. You have given me comfort in your comment, thank you.

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  7. Reading every word here like it was still visits with my own mother. :( I always felt similarly sad when I'd walk away from my mom's room when she was in assisted living. The hope I held on to was believing that she didn't know how sad the situation was; she couldn't remember what once was, or how different things could be if she still had her full mind.

    I'm sorry you're having to go through this, Betty. There are no easy answers to get through it, although I wish there were. Just keep holding on to Jesus like you're doing. Music usually helps me too. God touches a special place of our soul through music.

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  8. Thanks Lisa for the encouragement. Part of my grief is because it is not I taking care of her. She took care of me and my brother when we were helpless babies. She is now where it takes two to take care of her most of the time. I took her to Walmart while I was home, got her out of the car into their wheelchair fine. But as I was struggling to get her back into the car and we were both slipping to the payment a kind young man came and helped. The only reason I keep trying to do this is she loves it so much but...well you know the rest of the story. When I look in the mirror I see my Mom now that I have white hair. Someday if the Lord tarries it will be my children trying to take me out to Taco Bell, my favorite place...I have told them already, we can just eat in the car. You and my blogging friends are such a blessing to me. God bless you.

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  9. Praying for you, and your dear mom. When my heart is heavy, praise dancing, and singing comfort me.

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  10. Denise, I had to put on my earphones as I listened to this song. And I felt like dancing as my heart lifted but did not want to wake my husband. I am a white hankie waving when I am being touched by the Lord over something. Thanks for the encouraging words. Bless you.

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  11. This is a topic I don't like thinking about. God took my dad too soon...in my mind, he should have gotten to live longer but I'm not God. I have comfort in knowing I'll see my dad again someday in heaven, but I don't like thinking about my mom dying. She's my best friend. When fear of her passing creeps into my heart I take comfort in 2 Tim 1:12, I can trust God with my life and those of my loved ones who call Him Savior.

    I also love singing old hymns. They give me comfort. When dad was in the hospital I found myself singing songs like "Blessed Assurance", "Old Rugged Cross", "Amazing Grace" and so on.

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  12. Hi Betty! I am so sorry about your Mom. My mother in law had demetia, so I have some idea of what you are going through. I see from the comments that music really helps you, so that's a true gift.

    I always told myself that my mother-in-law really didn't understand that she was so forgetful and unable. She was actually quite content. She never got agitated or angry. I guess it was just me who was sad that she was so different. If your mom is the same way, maybe that will give you some peace.
    You'll be in my prayers,
    Ceil

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  13. Oh Betty, this brought tears to my eyes. My mother got saved later in life too. She was also afraid of the water, and we were all a bit concerned about whether she'd be scared to go under.
    At the end of her life, she questioned her salvation because of my brother in law, who told her a saved person does not smoke (her life long habit)...I reminded her of that day when she accepted Jesus into her heart, and then the day not long afterwards when she saw him with open arms in the clouds above with a light moving all the way around his image...She died soon after our talk, but I will never forget the look of pure peace that crossed her face when she remembered her special time with the Savior...I was the one who told her she should go to him and not be afraid.
    Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog...I am glad to have found yours.
    Blessings~ Lisa

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  14. TC, how blessed you are that your mother is your best friend. It's the same with my Mom and my daughter is my best friend too. My Mom wants so badly to be released from her dress of flesh, it's a very worn and tattered dress almost ready to fall from her. The very thought she will put on a robe of righteousness hold me together. We are blessed my sister to know where our parents will be waiting for us.

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  15. Ceil I had to laugh about what you said about your mother in law. My mother thinks everyone else there has a problem, she is totally unaware she is like so many. Maybe that is the hidden blessing with dementia. I try to never remind her of her mental state for there are times she is in the present and strong of mind. She has no idea she repeats everything a dozen times in an hour. There is no way to outrun old age but every time I am with my Mom and those ladies in the nursing home I come away with more grace in my heart for them, for someday it will be me. Blessings my sister.

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  16. Thanks Lisa for the encouragement. I am ready for my Mom to go too. She goes to all the religious services and because of different doctrines being taught it confuses her at times. She never feels good enough to go and I remind her too that's ok, Jesus was good for her. He paid her ticket to heaven, she will just smile and well if you say so Jo. Not too long ago she ask me if my Dad was in heaven and I said yes I believe so. She got so mad because he was not a good husband or father and she divorced him after 24 years of marriage. Dad got saved like the thief on the cross the night before he died. It was a dramatic conversion for God did a super natural act and cleared his stroke destroyed mind for about half hour and my husband led him to the Lord. Little did we know he would die the next morning. Anyway, my Mom got mad and said, well if they let him in anyone can get in. I just laughed, gave her a hug and said, Mom you have spoke truth. Thanks Lisa for the good words. Blessings.

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  17. Betty, I know how hard this time of life is for you!! My sisters and I went thru this the last few years, then my mother passed in January 2013. I, too, go to music for comfort in moments like that. It's seems, just praising Our Saviour helps to soothes the soul and gives His peace!!!! I will keep you in my prayers!!! Love Deborah

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  18. Deborah, thank you for the encouragement. Music and tears seem to be the right combination for my heart and others too for comfort.

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  19. My heart aches for you, Betty. I've been on that emotional tunnel for the last few weeks as I wrap up my latest manuscript. It's a book that examines the heart of the common people born in the south and the effect it has had on their families. So it was pretty much about my dad's family and his life… ending just after his funeral.

    I say that to say this, you nailed it. Clinging to the old rugged cross is the only way. Leave it to you, sister. Of all the thoughts I've pondered when in a sad state similar to yours, that never dawned on me. No wonder you call this place Wise Hearted. Praying for your mom and all of your family.

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  20. Floyd I am excited for you about the book you have written. Since you have poured your emotions into it I am sure it will be a good one. It seems writing about the personal stuff verses fiction is more draining. But then I have never written a book either. I will take you and the book to the cross my brother...I have your back in prayer.

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  21. Another birthday today for me and as I travel this road toward the next, we too shall one day reach our new home. I know your mom appreciates you listening for her phone calls, even if it is the latest news she shares but it is depressing to you. She is being cared for in ways that you are not able to do, and I know the feeling to have your mother away from you, but in a good place.

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  22. Thanks Hazel for the encouragement. Seems this kind of post gets drug out of me around mothers day. I have to guard my heart often so I do not fall into a pit of guilt and even grief. I hope you had a great birthday my wise sister.

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  23. Betty, this was absolutely beautiful. I have tears in my eyes. I could relate. My father just passed away in January, and now my siblings and I are taking turns caring for my mother. She's doing well. I don't know what the future holds for her living situation, but things are different than they were before. I miss the old days when we could talk about and do so many things. But, I still have her in my life, and I am grateful for that.

    Losing my dad was very hard, but after watching him deteriorate for the last few years, both physically and mentally, it was good to know that he was finally released from this earthly tent to go home.

    May God comfort you, as He does all of us who grieve...

    GOD BLESS!

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  24. Thanks Sharon for the encouragement. My mother and I talk about her someday being able to move back into her little apartment both of knowing it will not happen. I don't argue with her about it, it's good to hope about something. Good you have siblings to help you with your mother. Sometimes that helps her being able to stay out of a nursing home. It's a lot of work for the care givers but worth it if it works. All this makes me think about how I want to be treated when the day comes I can no longer drive or be in the position my Mom is in. Like my mother did, I pray the Lord take me home before I lost my ability to take care of myself. Blessings my sister. I sure enjoy your post, you put so much into it, you are quite the writer.

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  25. I hope things get better for you... I lost my mom when she was only 74 years old, five years ago.. She and I both believe there is much more than just this life, so that is comforting.

    Thank you for the lovely comment on my blog... I really appreciate it.. have a great week ahead (I will add you to my prayers )

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  26. Launna, thanks for the visit. It's always good for me to get outside my circle of blogs I normally read and meet some new people. I did enjoy your blog. Blessings.

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