Remembering My Mother and God’s Faithfulness

I grew up in a dysfunctional family, as many others also have.  When I was three years old my Mom and Dad got divorced.  After, my Mom remarried three more times into abusive relationships.  She loved to be the “life of the party,” but deep inside all she ever wanted was to be loved. However, she always seemed to look for it in the wrong places, which produced nothing good.

My Brother and I lived a very unhealthy childhood.  We saw, heard and experienced things no child should.  But God was faithfully, and He protected us in our environment.  He also used our hurt to draw us to Himself, and we welcomed Him into our hearts when we were in our teenage years.  My brother and I were so excited to know and feel the love of Jesus.  Numerous times we told our mother about His love, grace and forgiveness, but she would have none of it.

Throughout the years her drinking became a problem she could never conquer.  Numerous times she went into rehab and had sobriety for months at a time, but eventually she would give in to the addiction.  For a longtime my mom blamed God for her life and never took responsibility for her poor choices.  Never the less, we loved her and continued to pray for God to move in her heart, and change her life.

After her fourth husband retired they moved out of state.  A year and a half later he passed away leaving her alone for the first time in her life.  Again, instead of turning to God the source of our strength, or allowing family to help her, she turned to a younger man who cared only about his well being.  

I would talk with her over the phone frequently throughout the week but only visited with her a couple of times. Our conversations were about family and everyday things.  We occasionally talked about God, and I was happy to hear she started to pray.

Eight years ago today our mother past away due to complications from a blood disorder and liver failure.  As painful as it was losing her, two weeks prior was the most beautiful time ever spent with her.

 It was a typical work day when I got the phone call telling me my mother was in the hospital.  It took five hours before I could find out any information due to the HIPPA laws.  When I finally talked to the doctor treating her, he was not hopeful she would make it through the night.  He asked me if I wanted him to resuscitate her if the need presented, and he explained how dangerous it would be due to her frailness.  I was in shock and unbelief!  Neither my brother nor I was aware of any serious health issues she was experiencing, so to hear what I was hearing was shocking and devastating.  However my response to the doctor was for him to do what he could to keep her alive.

God had mercy and heard our cries, and within twenty four hours my brother, husband and myself, were by her side.  When we arrived at the hospital she was on life support and her mind was delusional due to the ammonia in her brain.  I pleaded with the Lord to give us the opportunity to share His love with her one more time, and because of His love for her He granted us the opportunity.  When she had a moment of lucidness she accepted Jesus into her heart.  

Multiple times in the following days, the doctors who were giving her care called it a miracle.  She was able to come off life support and we were able to understand what was once mumbling, to be her reciting the “Our Father” with my husband.

Although we lost her a couple weeks later, after asking her to go find Jesus and prepare for when we join them, it ended up to be one of the most comforting times in my life.  All the years we prayed for her, God heard every word.  Even though it was the end of her life He knew what it would take to change her heart, and was in control of the timing. 

So never give up praying for those you love because God is always faithful. He always goes above and beyond what we ask or imagine.  What seemed to be a tragedy God used not only to bless the relationship between my brother, husband, and myself by giving us a bond that cannot be broken. He also removed the pain of past memories and filled me with beautiful memories of my mom, who now lives in heaven feeling the love she searched for all her life.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us,
to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20E

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