The Last Hour

I wrote a portion of the following (which is included in my book, prayerfully, to be published) almost a year ago for the Women's Newsletter publication at church. It tells a true story that in the face of adversity we do not have to fear, because God is always with us, as Believers:

 It had been nearly two years since I received the letter from my mother stating she no longer wanted me to be a part of her life.  She told me on numerous occasions before that she wanted nothing to do with God, or the Jesus I believed in.  She stated to my son in the letter, basically since he was a part of me (obviously including her great grand-children as well); she also was cutting him out of her life. Still, I continued to pray for her salvation, as I had done for 28 years. 

In May 2008 I learned from her best friend that she was in the hospital suffering with lung cancer.  After much prayer, I made the phone call to the hospital, hoping she would be the one answering the phone in her room. She would refuse to talk to me if someone else answered. She answered! That was my confirmation to make the trip to Texas. After telling her I was coming with or without her consent, I made the trip, along with my son, daughter-in-law and, at that time, my 5 month-old grand-daughter. As I prayed about making the trip, the Lord put it ever so plain in my heart that I would learn the meaning of Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6:6-24).

After telling her she had no choice in the matter of me coming, she actually allowed us to stay at her house. We arrived in Texas, visited her in the hospital, where she shared with me that she has done something that is very vindictive and could really “mess with my mind.” What she didn’t know was I had already been told that she had disinherited not only me, but punished my son and his family as well. Thank You Lord, for preparing me for what was to come!

After a few days my family had to return home. There I was alone in the fire; in the den. I was alone but not lonely because I knew God had me wrapped tightly in His protective bubble, just as He had done many, many times before. It was a place where nothing or no one could touch me without His approval.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”     Isaiah 43:2

So no matter what the outcome, I knew I was in His perfect will, and I didn’t expect a bed of roses.

The cancer spread quickly. Beginning in her lungs, bones and finally spreading to her brain. After several days they set her up to receive hospice at home. She returned to her house, with me telling her I would be there for as long as necessary; for the long run; no matter how long she needed me (which she quickly shared how she really didn’t because she had faithful people who saw to her needs).

Yes, she was mean to me; even cruel at times. The lions were hungry. But they didn’t devour me, though they tried. They couldn’t!!

During the last hours that she was able to speak she asked me several times, “Are we alright?” I knew this was her way of saying she was sorry. I didn’t exactly know what she was sorry for: Was it the way she treated me, or didn’t treat me, as a child. Was it the way she physically abused? Or was she sorry because she had to show me that she really did disown me? I couldn’t tell because she didn’t explain herself. At any case, I told her we were alright. We weren’t!! I was dying inside of ‘another’ broken heart, knowing what was coming. I was dying inside because I wanted things to be okay between her and me. I knew they weren’t, but I knew the Lord didn’t want me to tell her that.

The Lord put it on a dear friend of mine to travel to Texas to see to “my” needs. What a friend!! After a few days Cheryl arrived. What a blessing and what a God-send!! You see no matter what, I knew my mother was not going to receive the Word about Jesus from me. I didn’t know how I was going to be able to witness to her, but God had a plan. A perfect plan. It involved my friend Cheryl. So we set it in motion. Cheryl was to go into her room, introduce herself and begin witnessing to her. She was not to mention that she was my friend or even that she knew me. It worked out fine that way because my mother didn’t ask who she was, or where she came from. Earlier that day a chaplain visited, so it was not unusual to see another person there ministering to her. Anyway, by this time my mother was only able to squeeze hands, acknowledging comprehension. She was declining in health rapidly.

After witnessing to my mother for a few days, at about 11pm on May 26, 2008, I asked my friend to go into my mother’s room – and present the bottom line; ask her if she wanted to receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The days prior to this my mother had been receptive to what Cheryl had been saying to her about salvation.

Strange how God works things for His good, isn’t it?

I knew this would probably be her last chance to be set free of the guilt, shame, anguish, pain and bitterness she had endured for the past 83 years. She wanted to be forgiven and she wanted to be freed from the bondage she had endured for such a long time.

She received Jesus into her heart, and about 1 hour later entered into the presence of King Jesus!!

"But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”     Matthew 19:30

Even though my mother disinherited me (yes, she went through with it), I have the blessed assurance that I will never be disinherited by my Father in heaven. He has promised me an inheritance. Not only do I get to spend eternity with Christ, my baby girl, Kellie, and now, my mother.

“And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”     Hebrews 9:15