WOYWW: The Crown of Life

 

Here is my desk when I woke up this morning.

And here it is as I left for the mortuary.

I will finish this post when I get back

from the interment of my mom.

Meanwhile you can read this post,

No Goodbyes!

Nothing is impossible with God!

Thursday, January 20

 "Blessed is he who perseveres
in trials,
for when he has been proven
he will receive the CROWN OF LIFE
that he promised
to those who love Him"
James 1:12

My mom left a legacy of faith and love.
And yes, she persevered in trials,
and she had many.
Up to the end of her life,
she was tried and tested.
I think her biggest trial
was her battle with tongue cancer
which eventually claimed
her life here on earth.
She was diagnosed in December of 2008.
At the time, the doctor said 
it would be very fast and very painful.
She would need chemotherapy and radiation,
she would need part of her tongue taken out,
and replaced with tissue 
from another part of her body.
And she would need a PEG tube
to feed her.

This was drawn from a picture of my mom.
My brother and I drew it the day after she died.

My mom was 75 at the time of the diagnosis.
After prayer and discernment,
we decided against the chemo.
We chose alternative methods,
and she confessed healing verses three times a day,
because it says in Proverbs 4:20-22
that God's Word is health to our bodies.
I believe that is why the cancer 
did not progress until last year,
and it was not painful,
even if she had a big wound in her tongue.
That in itself is a miracle!

 "Humbly welcome the Word
that has been planted in you..."
James 1:21

The Word is like a seed,
and it will grow and bear fruit.
My mom made sure that we, her family,
knew the Lord and His ways.
She taught us from when we were young
that if we obeyed God,
all would go well with us.
All would be grace and blessing.

 "I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise shall ever be in my mouth."
Psalm 34:2

Even in this time of sorrow
because we are temporarily separated,
I will rejoice and praise the Lord
for I see His victorious plan.
What was meant to destroy,
built my faith even more.
God used it for good, as He promised.

  Her illness was heartbreaking 
not because of physical pain.
I saw how a strong, beautiful woman,
became slowly helpless, weak, could not even talk
because of her tracheotomy tube,
could not even write because 
she lost control of her muscles.
But God used her illness so that we,
her family, who loved her so much,
could finally accept that 
God wanted to take her to her true home.
It took a long time,
but we were all finally able to say,
"Mommy, we love you.
Go with Jesus."

Thank you for all your prayers,
love and concern,
which surrounded us all!

Previous Posts

For my growing collection of 

prompts, inspirations, creative pursuits,

courageous artists and their art,

join me here!

Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 

peek at desks and projects!

 

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visiting my friends here:

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join these wonderful blog parties!!!

So many WONDERFUL blogfriends to discover!

Count Your Blessings, Word Art Wednesday, 

Whatever You Want Wednesday

Winsome Wednesdays, Wednesday's Word

Share the Joy, Doing You Well

Wednesday Christian Homemaking Link Party

What's It Wednesdays, Unite, WholeHearted Home,

 Rubie Tuesday Link Up, Be Inspired

 A Little R and R   

What We Accomplished, Wow Us Wednesdays
The Weekly Creative

Thoughtful Thursday,  Hearts4Home Thursdays

Thought Provoking Thursday

Thriving Thursdays with Serving Joyfully

Thursday Favorites, Desire to Inspire, Legacy Leaver Thursday

Creative Things, Bloom!
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Les Chateau des Fleurs, 

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Peek into my Paradise, Thrive at Home Weekend Blog Hop
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Blessings!

Patsy