Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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,
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!





Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 
peek at desks and projects!

I find a lot of inspiration
visiting my friends here:
Linking with

Sometimes I put on my best pajamas and
join these wonderful blog parties!!!
So many WONDERFUL blogfriends to discover!

http://withlove-simplybeth.blogspot.com/ 


Blessings!

Patsy



33 comments:

  1. Patsy, I wanted to say that I am sorry for your loss - even though we know we will be together again, the time in between can be long for those of us left behind. I lost my Mom over twenty years ago. We were best friends. She became a believer a few weeks before she died. Because of that I had a joyful heart knowing my mother was with Jesus and one day we'd be able to take long walks and talk again. Your artwork is an inspiration to me and I just wanted to say God bless you.

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  2. I'm sorry for you loss. Hugs. May God grant you peace and wisdom as you move ahead!

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  3. So Sorry for your loss Sending you Hugs Nikki

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  4. Thinking off you at this very painful time x

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  5. My sincere sympathies for your loss.

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  6. Heartfelt thoughts for you at this very sad time. x
    Nelle

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  7. Still covering you and your family in prayer, Patsy. As always we are so thankful that you share your art and your heart with us at Word Art Wednesday. May your grief be held tenderly by the hand of God and may your heart know the peace of the heart of God. We send our love and hugs to you.

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  8. So sad..My sincere sympathies for your loss..
    Coffee Table Book printing

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  9. Oh Patsy,
    Such a beautiful picture of your dear Mother. Your art with the "I will bless the LORD at all times...." on it is such an honor to her. Your post has touched my heart deeply today. I will keep you in prayer. Again, this is just so very beautiful, thank you for sharing your sweet creation with us at Word Art Wednesday this week.
    Blessings, Carole DT

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  10. I am sorry for your loss Patsy and blessed by your courage and faith as you walk a difficult road. Your mother is very beautiful and taught her children well. Blessed is she.

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  11. Beautiful epitaph to your dear mother Patsy. Beautiful post and lovely paintings. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  12. Beautiful work on your blog!

    Greetings, Saskia

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  13. Accept my sympathies.Your work is fabulous, my friend.

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  14. Ohhhhh Patsy! My heart aches for you today as I read your post. She left an amazing legacy in you. I pray that the Lord will comfort you with His love. Your art is absolutely amazing. I am sharing this post because I know there are many who are missing their loved ones who will be blessed by what you shared here. I love you and know that my prayers are with you!

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  15. Beautiful tribute to your mom. I am so sorry that you have lost her in this world, but you have memories and the blessed hope of seeing her again. Your art is always so beautiful and such a wonderful testimony to your faith.

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  16. Hi Patsy! What a beautiful memory for your Mom. I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I don't know if you happened to see it when you linked up at Word Art Wednesday this week, but I did mention you all in the blog post, and many people commented on that blog post to say that they are also praying for you. So, If you haven't seen all that, you might want to stop back by to check it out. So many people in the crafting world who really love you and your family, Patsy. My love and prayers are with you and your family. Thanks for sharing with us.
    Karen
    Word Art Wednesday

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  17. What a beautiful tribute to your mother! How proud she must be to know how the seeds she planted long ago, took root in the lives of her children. God bless you through this difficult time. Sending prayers and hugs on this PPF :)

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  18. Sorry to hear about your Mom. Your paintings are wonderful tributes to her and to your faith.

    My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  19. So sorry to hear about your mom. God bless you and your family! And thank you for your beautiful words and paintings.

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  20. so, so sorry for your loss. what a precious thing that you and your brother came together to create that lasting piece of art. it is beautiful. praying for you!

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  21. My heart is with you in your loss, am in no doubt that you will miss your mother deeply, and your faith will provide for you. Your tribute to your mother is quite beautiful, as is the shared artwork that you and your brother have made.

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  22. I am so sorry for your loss...

    The artwork coming from your heart is beautiful and I can see that it is a beautiful tribute to your mother.

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  23. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Sounds like she was a wonderful woman. Such a beautiful piece of art you drew of her. I pray peace and comfort for you and your family.

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  24. Stopping by for the first time via Friday Finds. Your tribute was truly touching.

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  25. i enjoyed your tribute, and the beautiful art of your mom's legacy to you and your family... He always heals, Thank God. I lost my own mom Dec 20... and your words certainly resonate with me, our faith, and our HOPE. They are rooting us on in those bleachers with all the saints... as we run our race. God Bless Patsy, and may you continue to seek refuge under His wings .

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  26. Oh Patsy - that is a beautiful post - I lost my mom in October 2012 -- she had been immobilized by a debilitating stroke in January 2010. I love the portrait of your mom - and what a beautiful smile she had. I know you grieve because you miss her here - but what a gift of faith from God that you know you will see her again!!!

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  27. Patsy my heart is with you and your family. Your mom is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing her with us. My you be blessed.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  28. ((Hugs)), Prayers and Love go out to you from me. The portrait of your mom is so beautiful. . . truly a work of art. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  29. So sorry for your loss. This is such a beautiful tribute to your precious mother. Thanks for sharing with PPF.
    May God comfort you and your family during this difficult time.

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  30. So sorry for your loss. Your art and quotes are beautiful.

    Annabelle : ) take care.

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  31. What a beautiful tribute to your mom! May God wrap Himself around you and give you courage and comfort.

    Thank you for sharing this sweet post with Thought-Provoking Thursday. :)

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I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy