Mama’s First Birthday in Heaven

 Mama would have been 92 years old today, if she were here on earth. But the Lord, in His wisdom and love for her, called her home to heaven nine weeks ago to live with Him for all eternity.

I must trust my Savior for the timing of her home-going (so sudden, so unexpected), though the human part of me wants her with me so very much. The cards and phone calls from you, our loved ones sharing in our sorrow, continue to come to us. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

In honor of Mama on her birthday, I am posting a few pictures of her and excerpts from the many, many messages we have received from her family and friends.

But first of all, may I share this about Mama’s best investment?

The investment she made was placing her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior from sin when she was a young woman. Then she sought to obey Him with His power in every area as she journeyed through this life.

The result of her investment:

Mama loved with a Christ-like love, which resulted in serving others selflessly as a godly woman! This has been overwhelming told to us by the many, many, many people who knew her.

 Because of this investment, we, her family, are reaping enormous dividends from this. Our hearts are full of love. Our home is full of love. Everywhere we see Mama’s fingerprints, we see and feel this investment dividend of Christ-like love. Our desire is to take these dividends and love the Lord and others just as Mama did.

Here are a few phrases and sentences about Mama written within the sympathy cards:

• A classic smile and hug
• A model mom
• Spiritual strength and love of others
• A wonderful hostess

• Was such an inspiration
• A life that radiated the love of Christ
• Asked insightful questions and showed genuine interest
• The epitome of graciousness
• A good and godly lady

• An inspiration to me
• A delightful woman
• A grand lady in all areas of her life
• Truly gorgeous inside and out
• A dear, sweet soul and a friend to all she met

• We will never forget her caring ways.
• She made a lasting impression on all who met her knew her.
• We loved her the minute we met her!
• She touched hundreds of people’s lives in many different cities. 

• She was loved by lots of people.
• Because you knew that you were in her prayers, it made one feel care for and loved. 
• She was always so caring and interested in whomever she spoke with.
• I will never forget how kind she was to me.

• She was worth knowing.
• I am a better person because of her.
• She was the most  godly woman I knew.
• She was a great influence in my life, a lovely person and friend.
• I was so thankful for her friendship through the years and her concern for me  and her faithful prayers.
• I will carry her in my heart forever.

So, as you can see, Mama was one classy, godly, caring, exceptional woman. We absolutely love her to pieces and miss her beyond words. There is just a hole in our heart because of this. But we trust our Savior to be our moment by moment Comforter, and faithfully has been!

Please visit our blog again on Mother's Day when we will add to this post and also on Memorial Weekend when we will honor Mama and Daddy on what would have been their 65th wedding anniversary.