There are a number of her annotations I do not understand because they make a reference to someone that mom knew and I did not.
In this section, Rick Warren explains how to "Get the most out of this book". Her first notation was to reference Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
She understood that it is a mistake for her to believe that she could "fly solo" without at least a co-pilot on board with her. We all need someone with us for spiritual support. Mom had been a widow for a little over 3 years. Her co-pilot, Don, had been "reassigned". Now she found herself flying solo. She understood the need to find someone who could encourage her in the faith. This book could do that in part, but not fully. I was doing that, in part, by giving the book to her.
In the course of our ministry, particularly in Texas, Martie and I have met and ministered to a number of widows. There is a common denominator among them. Their co-pilot is gone and very often they are left alone. James 1:27 tells the Church to "visit the widows in their affliction". Affliction goes far beyond a storm damaged home. And visiting goes far beyond a phone call or hug on Sunday morning. If you are going to visit widows in their affliction it is going to cost you something.
The question that mom had put parenthesis around on page 9 was "What am I here for?" With Don gone she was struggling to find her purpose. The affliction that widows experience is very often unsung and all to often unnoticed. On page 11, mom highlighted "A journey is always better when it is shared." So what was she to do … mom and Don had been married 46 years when Don passed. Martie and I have been married 46 years and we know how deep the relationship is for us, how should be for you and how unbelievably deep was with Mom and Don. I wrote a song some time back ... more like a poem. It was for my mom in the context of her great loss. I want to share the lyrics with you, no melody yet.
So you spend your life with the one you love
Then the Lord decides to call that one above
As years pass by, your heart remains true
And you say to the Lord, “Our love wasn’t through”
The loss that you feel is so hard to bear
You cry out to God “Lord – It’s just not fair”
When you stand by the stone at his place of rest
You shout out to heaven … “Lord, Is this a test?”
You cry every night …. When you’re all alone
Seems the place where you live is no longer a home.
You hoped that your lives would end the same day
Then you ask the Lord “Why wasn’t it that way?”
When God doesn’t answer, you think He don’t care.
You cry out in anger.. “God - Are you really there?”
One night in the darkness you hear a small voice.
“He was mine all along .. it wasn’t your choice.”
He’s with me now and one day you’ll be here
So be at peace my child you have nothing to fear.
When you’re absent from the body you’re present with the Lord
He had served me well, now he has his reward
The moment he left you … he was with Me
He’ll be walking these streets for eternity
I know your struggle, that you’re feeling alone
One day I’ll be sayin’ …. “Daughter … time to come on home”
So Be at peace my child, be at peace
Be at peace
No comments:
Post a Comment