3 Angels In Heaven

Three Angels

Today,  my blog takes a different direction as I give the moment to remember three women that had an impact on my life.

Barbara - my mother.

Lorraine - a woman who was tragically killed in a car accident.

Jill - a woman who, at 58 years old, had a heart attack in the middle of the night.

Each woman showed me love with prayer and compassion. Each woman died, yet I was able to thank God for taking them home. That's what it does for those still alive. I know that each one loved God and had faith and trust in Him.

First, Mom. She had been suffering with diabetes and confusion. She had some really bad falls that left welts, lumps, and bruises. The pain she suffered with was extreme at times. She told my dad that she was ready to leave that shell of a body and go home to be with Jesus. Mom and Dad had a DNR order put in her records so she could sleep in the hospital bed. At the next attack, she was gone. I published a prayer that I said at her memorial service,  per my dad's request. There are many more personal stories with my mother, but those will come later.

Lorraine was moving slowly as she put her groceries on the belt. My attention was on her purse as she retrieved her checkbook. See, she had had a stroke several years ago and was just finding the ability to write the check unassisted. I turned from my register lane to tell her how I was very happy and proud of her that healing was taking place. She agreed as we both praised God. The next day, she pulled her car onto a road that a semi truck was traveling, unable to stop, and she was confirmed dead in a matter of minutes.

Jill had been a friend, my older sister's age. The two of us became friends when she dated my brother. We almost became sisters-in-law, but young love being what it was, it wasn't meant to be. Things changed for the two of them, but Jill and I remained friends even at a distance. A few days ago, I got word that she had a heart attack at the age of 58, and was gone. This is the note I wrote to her daughter on Facebook (social media).

Jenna Coleman, I ran across a story that I had written years ago. This story was written before my own mother passed away this past November, my mother was 84. Your mother was 58. There is nothing that this story will tell you that you don't already know about a mother's love and care. My words, or anyone else's for that matter, can't make everything better. It is only the trust in God that your mother had that gives us confirmation. My mother loved your mother, always did. I still have the gift that she gave me of the 23rd Psalm. Please know that I am praying for you and your dad. GBYD ~ God Bless Your Day
And now the story: Sad yet real life

Sad yet real life

I had raised the window shade and sat on my couch while typing on the computer. A sudden thump was heard. It was almost as if someone had deliberately thrown an object at the window. I went to look and saw a bird lying on its back on the ground. A smaller bird hopped along the bricks that lined the yard. Back and forth it stayed looking at the fallen bird, and back up to the house where it had hit. In my mind, I thought of the mom bird teaching the baby bird how to fly.

I imagined that I could hear the baby calling to the mom. “What do I do now?” “I think I got it now, mom.” “You were showing me one of the things to look out for.”

I imagined the mom had been protecting the baby. Perhaps by stepping, or flying, in front of potential danger. Maybe these were the same birds that I had seen a month ago and said that God would take care of them. The weather had been unseasonably cold. The new snow covered the ground where the young birds had searched for food.

I am touched by the possibility that God can let things happen in such a way that, even in the tragic times, we are being taken care of. Is it expected? Is it the way we had planned/wanted? Are we making the right choices?

When “No” is the answer to any of these questions, turn it around to “On” and remember that the Holy Spirit is “On” this. He has got it.

I will remember seeing the baby bird hopping back and forth. I will remember the feeling of helplessness. I will try to remember that God has a bigger plan; that sometimes the tragic happens. It is sad, but it is life.