3 Years

I can't believe it has been 3 years since the Lord took my darling mother home to be with Him. April 21st will forever be seared in my mind. Though that day became pain free for mom, our lives were changed forever.

There are still so many days where I think of her or go to call her. I want to tell her, "Listen to "Inger" read." or "Mom, I need you to pray. I'm having a rough day." And she would tell me, "God is using this, Sarah Jeannie." She was always a constant source of encouragement to me and our family.

It's amazing as life goes on, how much more I become thankful for this special woman in my life. She inspires me to be the mom I need to be.

I know I love to have people over to my home because she did.

I know I love to serve and help in the body of Christ because she did.

I know how strive to love all people around me because she did.

I know how important God's Word is because she did.

I am the mom I am because God gave me an amazing mom (and dad).

(This is one of my favorites the year before she died. Anyone who knows mom can appreciate this.)

Ponderings

As I sat down to post today, my mind came to a conversation I had had with my precious Mother before the Lord took her home. I had asked her to contribute a guest post on her thoughts and life as she fought cancer.

She never was able to. Things happened so quickly. She was well and fighting one day, and sick and dying the next.

IF she had been able to write something, I believe she would have shared something similar to these thoughts:

"As I fight this cancer, I have a peace and joy that only Christ can give. He has taught me so much about dependency on Him. For two years I have been fighting lung cancer, and through it all have used every opportunity I can get to share Christ with those around me. Whatever you are going through in life, no matter how big or small, Christ is the answer for strength and direction. He is the One who allowed this sickness in my life and I want to use it for His glory."

Mom is now rejoicing in heaven with my Heavenly Father. She is now able to really "see" what she only understood from afar.

I wish you could have known my mom. She was a woman of deep faith. Her favorite quote was from Corrie Ten Boom.

"There is no pit so deep, that God is not deeper still."

I have felt so many times in such a deep pit. I remind myself: "My Father's love is wider, longer, higher and deeper than anything I will go through. He will sustain me."

So I ask my Heavenly Father to send my dear Mother a message: I miss and love her.

Five Little Words

I miss him so much!