Yesterday I recieved my final birthday card from my Mum. It was postmarked February 25th, Australia (my birthday). As she always does, she filled every bit of blank space on the card with her neat, characteristic cursive. As usual, the front of the card displayed a piece of God's creation - in this case a Frangipani flower. She described the weather (dry), the extent of the honey harvest from my Dad's beehives (large), and how she and my Dad fed each other wedding cake (a first for them) at the celebration of their 46th anniversary only days before. She sent her love, always so tangible despite the distance between.
Yesterday she was gone. Within the span of less than a week she suffered a brain hemorrhage and passed into eternity early yesterday morning. Losing a loved one is never easy, but her death is an extremely difficult pill to swallow. So sudden, so unexpected.
Yet by all reports she suffered relatively little during her last days. She shared a few lucid moments with my Dad, a complete gift in light of the severity of her condition at the time. She left this earth surrounded by family and friends who loved her deeply, completely at peace and no doubt overjoyed to meet her Maker and his Son to whom she had given her life.
I could not have asked for a better mother. Her example of unconditional love for all living things is one that I will forever attempt to emulate. I thank God for her, her life, and her memory that will be with me always. What an incredible witness to the power of faith. Mum, I'll miss you.
All The Way My Savior Leads Me
All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his faithful mercies who through life have been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort ere by faith in him to dwell
For I know whatever befall me Jesus doeth all things well
All of the way my Savior leads me and He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strenght for every trial and He feeds me with the living bread
And though my weary steps may falter and my soul a thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me through a spirit joy I see
And all the way my Savior leads me, oh the fullness of His love
Perfect rest in me is promised in my Father's house above
When my spirit clothed immortal wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages, Jesus lead me all the way
- Rich Mullins