Today is a bittersweet day. Today was my mom’s funeral. She had fought a hard fight physically, off and on, for the last two years. Friday, she entered her eternal home, where she will be forever healed of any pain or sorrow. As I watched her struggle to take her last breath, the sorrow I felt was gut-wrenching. But it only lasted for a moment as I took my eyes off myself and focused on what she is now experiencing. When we love someone, we should want what is best for them. We should pray for God to take them when they are in pain, if they are right with Him. The greatest love you can show a loved one who is right with God is to pray for their complete healing so they begin to really live.
In Revelation 21:4, we see that pain will be gone, both emotional and physical. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” In this life, my mom had many physical challenges. However, she never gave in to them. She was a mom at heart, which led her to put others’ feelings and needs above her own. Being a mother is the best way to learn to put others first. When that sweet baby enters the world, it is totally dependent on you for everything. You grow so physically tired that you could sleep through a marching band, yet the least whimper from the baby and you are up and running. And yet, this too will one day come to an end. All those who are Christ will rejoice in the new heaven.
As moms, we are constantly preparing for our children. We prepare food, clothing, and shelter. We work on those things tirelessly to provide the best home possible. In John 14:2-3, Jesus is teaching His disciples to trust Him. He assures them that He will prepare a home for them and will come and get them when it is ready for them. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” He also assures them that he will be there with them. In Hebrews 11:6, we are reminded again that there is a heavenly country awaiting us.
Hebrews 11:16 “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”
The glory of Heaven is beyond our wildest imagination. In I Corinthians 2:9 Paul writes “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” In Revelation 22:3-5, there will no longer suffer from the curse of sin. We will see the face of God. We will not need a light because Jesus is the light of the world. We will see Him face to face. Friday, my mom got to experience these truths. She no longer has to imagine what Heaven will look like or what it will be like, because she is there.
Revelation 22:3-5: “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face… They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.”
My mom was not perfect, but she lived for the perfect One. He saw her need and provided for it. My mom sought God’s wisdom to guide her life. She did not shout her faith from the rooftop, but she lived it day by day. If she were in the valley, she still would be faithful. When she was on the mountain, she did not change. It is not an easy process, but with God’s help, you can accomplish great things for the Lord. My mom believed in the permanence of Heaven. The truth about the Bible is that Jesus is our “Rock and Fortress.” We must live for the Lord wherever we are.
As time gets closer to Jesus ‘return and seeing Him face to face, we understand the ultimate reward for a life lived to please the Savior . It is to see Him and spend eternity with Him. We, too, just like my mom, can start and complete this task of living out our faith. Today, think about what a privilege you have to be a Christian Mom. Have a happy Mother’s Day. Now go take on the world one soul at a time, starting at home.
