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Arrived !

With Mother’s Day coming this weekend, I would like to dedicate this post to my mother.   I still miss her even though she passed into the presence of her Savior on August 17, 2006.    As I reflect back on my memories of her, both good and not so good, I can’t help but remember a conversation we had as she was in the hospital during the last summer of her life.

I was sitting at her feet, rubbing lotion on them, praying.  She stopped me when I prayed for her to have peace.  She said I must want her dead to pray for that.  I told her she can have peace right where she is.   She didn’t believe me, never having peace in her life. 

We never talked of it again.  My last words to her, face to face, was thanking her for blessing me.   For even though much of my life, that was the furthest thing from my mind (and heart), it was true.  She was a blessing to me.  Her beauty, her laughter, her generosity, her love.  And her last words to me?  How much she loved me.

OH, how she loved!   Even though she loved, loved all of us, and loved us well, I don’t know that she ever did find peace in that.  Except now, that is, with the Prince of Peace.

I guess if I had to think of one word that described my mom it would be “searching”.  She was always searching.  Searching for one more . . .


One more laugh

One more man

One more treasure

One more party

One more place.


I think that’s why peace “evaded” her (or did she evade it?).

As I was thinking about my mom, an old song, one of her favorites, has been playing in my mind.  Welcome to my World, by Ray Price.  Have you heard it?  Here are the lyrics:

Welcome to my world
Won't you come on in
Miracles I guess
Still happen now and then

Step into my heart
Leave your cares behind
Welcome to my world
Built with you in mind

Knock and the door will open
Seek and you will find
Ask and you'll be givin'
The key to this world of mine

I'll be waiting here
With my arms uncurled
Waiting just for you
Welcome to my world.


I can even hear her singing along to it (a little off key, but nonetheless with her whole heart).  As I heard the song in my heart, I felt like they were the very words of our God:


Welcome to My world, Gloria.  Won’t you come on it – step into My heart and leave your cares behind.  Welcome to my world, I built it with you in mind.   I’ll be waiting there – with My arms uncurled.  Waiting just for you, Gloria, welcome to My world.


Bursting into tears, I saw my Father welcoming my mom into His world.  No more searching required.  She had arrived. 

Matthew 13:44-46:  The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.  When a man found it, he hid it again and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

She found her treasure.  Her everlasting love.  Her peace. 
Her place.

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