Mom’s Legacy ~ Merry Christmas

This past Advent and Christmas season has shown what it means to prepare one’s heart in this last journey with Mom.  It hasn’t been easy, but it has been a gift. And God, in His abundance, gave many other gifts, too. Especially this year.  Not in the presents, but most assuredly ~ in His presence.

Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts, described Advent like this: “to be a dwelling place for God; a womb for Christ, means to be extended, to be taken to one’s outer edges. Stretched. To be a womb for God means there will be stretch marks. A true Christmas, one that God indwells, will experience pangs and pain.”  

How true. Every tear poured out ~ left room for God to pour in. And He poured in His comfort, His Love, and His mercy in abundance.  Every moment. For all of us. And I was reminded ~ quite often, that when we are weak, He is strong.  He is near to the broken-hearted. And we knew the gift of His presence.     

As I held her hand, we prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, speaking those familiar, comforting words, her voice would fade in and out, but she would pick right up where she left off.  I kissed her goodnight and we unwrapped the gift of knowing Christ was there, and she was clean, and forgiven.

Mom wasn’t forgiven because she was a good person.  {she was}.  Not because she tried hard to do the right things in this life. {she did}.  And not because she loved her family with her whole heart. But only because her heart was a Bethlehem for Jesus, and her forgiveness was a gift; a beautiful promise fulfilled by His sacrifice on a cross.

Another gift, in Hebrews 12 1-3: “therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

Amazing gift ~ this gift of God’s presence. Thank God, He came down for us; Emmanuel, God with us. Sweet tidings of great joy.  A gift to unwrap each moment of every day we are given.  Our Mom knew this in her heart, and she finished her race in the loving arms of her Savior.

As we run our own race, may we refuse to rehash our losses, and lift our chins today, and unwrap the gift of His presence, looking to Jesus, who goes before us. He never fails. 
Instead of being derailed by our fears, tears, and disappointments, may we always sense the divine invitation to believe the story is far from over. He who began a good work in us is faithful to bring it to completion!  As we run our race here on earth, may we embrace and hold fast to His promises; for they are very good gifts.

Because the Babe in the manger is the ultimate blessed proof ~ that Love ~ has the last word. And that love held Mom.  In her life, and in the last of her breaths. This love knows no end, and it never fails.  God led her through her trials.  He will do no less for us.  May we learn, as Job did, back in the oldest book of the Bible, from Ch 23: 10: “He knoweth the way that I take, and when he has tried me I shall come forth as gold.”

God’s Word tells us “Do not let your heart be troubled.” This Christmas, the words so often recited at Christmas, from the Book of Luke, Ch 2, have fresh meaning: “Fear not. For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that will be for all the people.  For unto us a Son is Born. Unto us a Son is Given.  He is Christ the Lord.”

Have no doubt, Mom’s waiting for us in Heaven.  She punched her ticket when she said “yes” to Christ. She is now completely healed of every wound, emotional, mental, and physical.  Entirely in Christ’s peace, she is happily content, and lovingly enfolded in His arms, this child of God, our Mom.  Her race has been run.  Not only is she rejoicing, but she’s got a great front row seat in heaven’s grandstand, encouraging, and urging us on as we run our race, like she was never able to do before. She’s not going to miss one second.  And, she’s keeping awesome company with all those saints sitting right next to her. Together, they are cheering us on with all the power and love of Christ.  But their faith and joy won’t be perfected, until we who belong to Jesus, join them all when Christ comes again. 

The Gift of John 3:16 says: For God so loved the world He gave His only Son ~ that whoever believes in Him – will not perish, and will have eternal life.  Please don’t just look at the gift and believe ~ for even the demons believe…  Let your heart become a Bethlehem for Him.  She carried Jesus in her Bethlehem heart. That is Mom’s true legacy.  And she is living a wonderful, sweet, eternal life.

Truly ~ tidings of amazing joy sent from Heaven Above.  I pray we will all be there to meet her when Christ comes again
   
Thank you Lord.  Merry Christmas Mom.  We love you.  Amen. 
~  Leslie Cushing Vaskey McNeil 12/28/13