Dear Friends,
I just got this from another list I'm on and just had to pass it on. It shows that
even in
our deepest saddness the Lord has something good for us.
"Mom's Last Laugh"
Author Unknown
Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat.
I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my mother.
She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so
intense; I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, Mother
clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of tissues while listening to
my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in
college, and prayed for me my entire life.
When Mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my
brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the
27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her. I
counted it an honor.
"What now, Lord?" I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out
before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward
the cross while clutching his wife's hand. My sister sat slumped against her
husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child. All so
deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone.
My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk,
taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible
together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone.
I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick
footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young man looked
around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them
on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle. "I'm
late," he explained, though no explanation was necessary.
After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, "Why do they keep
calling Mary by the name of 'Margaret'?" Because that was her name, Margaret.
Never Mary. No one called her 'Mary,'" I whispered. I wondered why this
person couldn't have sat on the other side of the church. He interrupted my
grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?
"No,that isn't correct," he insisted, as several people glanced over at
us whispering, "Her name is Mary, Mary Peters."
"That isn't who this is."
"Isn't this the Lutheran church?"
"No, the Lutheran church is across the street."
"Oh, I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir."
The solemnness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man's
mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over
my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs.The creaking pew gave me
away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more
hilarious. I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was
laughing, too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an
uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing.
At the final "Amen," we darted out a door and into the parking lot.
"I do believe we'll be the talk of the town," he smiled. He said his name
was Ricky and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, asked me out for a cup
of coffee. That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who
attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our
meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant
pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.
In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God
gave me love.This past June we celebrated our twenty-second Wedding
anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them,
"Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made
in heaven."
Starting this week I'll be doing a series entitled "Tales from the Olympics". So stay
tuned
There's a storm coming, our Storm.
PROCLAIMING GOD'S LOVE TO A DYING WORLD
Say to the captives, 'come out,' and those in darkness, 'Be free!'
Isaiah 49:9
Love in Jesus
Adrian Bonham aka Morning Light, The Larrikin
I looked to the heavens to where God dwells
I looked into my life to see he lives there as well.
Outpost 49
Hawkesbury Royal Rangers
Windsor, N.S.W.
Australia
F.C.F. 94
http://www.summit.net.au/~founder1/
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