I spoke with my mother on Mother's Day twice--early in the morning and then again at 2:30 in the afternoon.  

She was delighted to be home after 11 weeks of shuttling between hospital and rehab centers. 

She was glad to talk and she especially appreciated the Mother's Day gift that Sarah and I had sent. 

I could tell that she was struggling--short on breath--and she said that no food appealed to her.  

 Later that same day, I got a call from my sister to say that mother had died. 

So the day that we celebrate mothers became the day that the Lord chose to take her to her eternal home.  What better gift could she possibly receive? 

It was truly

 "Mother's.... Day."  

She committed her heart to Jesus Christ when she was 4 years old and now she was ninety-seven. 

All those years she was ready, preparing, anticipating this day.

Later this week we will be singing the songs she requested for her funeral.  The words of one of them go like this:

"And then one day 

I'll cross the river; 

I'll fight life's final war with pain.

And then, as death gives way to victory, 

I'll see the lights of glory--and I'll know He reigns.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because He lives, 

all fear is gone. 

Because I know 

He holds the future 

And life is worth the living just because 

He lives." 

Praise God for life well lived!  

Praise God for another saint safely reaching home!