Ladies passionate for His Passion
She Was No Ordinary Woman ~ Part 1
Friends come and friends go......
but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Proverbs 18:24
This past Saturday, August 2, marks a double anniversary for me. First the birthday of my dear sister who is a bit older then I, and secondly the 6th year reminder of my mothers memorial celebration.
Momma was truly my closest, best and dearest friend. I will never forget the first day I saw her. Mind you, this lady was no ordinary woman. It is no ordinary woman who can take someone else's child and raise that child as her own, loving them from the very beginning. But Momma did that….for me and my sister.
No ordinary woman gets up in the night hours and prays until your life changes. No ordinary woman prays at the foot of your bed waking you to her godly petitions that "that boy" has to get out of your life. It is no ordinary woman who will cry out to God for you until your mind chooses to make the "right" decision. It is no ordinary woman who will stay with you and on your case in your dating choices, your spirit walk, your prayer time, your Bible reading, your conduct, your character, your response to God, your time in the altar and your successful obedience to HIM.
I was about FOUR years old when She walked into the door of my house (she and her husband.) They talked with my mother and visited for a long while. Company was an unusual event for Mommy and I and this couple was unique and unusual compared to those mommy usually hung around. Even at four years old I could see this. The visitation was sweet and exciting with much attention given to me (also an unusual event) and soon the decision was made…. I would leave with this couple whom I had never seen before….and I would not see my biological mother again until I was about 16 years old.
As I watched this unusual lady, I wondered at who this unknown woman was. She had dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders, dark brown shining eyes and a big beautiful smile. But something else constrained me; she was kind, friendly and warm as she reached for me. I was a bit timid but something about her captured my heart, compelled my interest and arrested my fears.
Although my biological mother had never once mentioned "HIM" to me, never once told me "He" existed, never once read a Bible verse to me, never once took me to Sunday school,….. God spoke to me the day that this "out of the ordinary" woman came to visit. Oh, I did not know then it was God, but the years have taught me that it truly was.
When she asked me…"Do you want to go and live with me?"….. it was explained I would not be returning to my mommy, my heart hesitated. "Going" sounded exciting, but the "no return" was frightening. This was the cycle of our lives, Mommy usually left and I was never certain she was coming back. But this day was different, I heard "HIM" speak, a "still small voice" within me…..said…."Go with her, she is a good woman." My heart settled and somehow I knew this was right, I trusted this woman. I cannot explain how a four year old knows such things or even thinks such things except it be a "God thing." I said "yes!" and ran to get my sweater and the one pair of shoes I owned and climbed up on her lap. I left with her, and never returned. She was no ordinary woman.
We rode together in the back seat of the car while Daddy (her husband) drove. I never looked back nor did I ever miss my biological mother whom I had loved…..because the gift given through Momma and her love and care was more then I would have ever received from the one who gave birth to me. This was no ordinary woman.
Through the years she took this broken little girl who had been labeled the "neighborhood orphan" and changed my life with love. She took a little girl who left her mother and home wearing a tattered little night gown, worn out shoes that were too small and one little cardigan sweater…..and gave her worth and pride, she bought her brand new clothes..... Momma dressed me well. Momma taught me to look my best for the King when I went to church. Momma taught me fashion, and Momma taught me manners and good conduct.
MOMMA took a dirty little girl and kept her clean. Momma took this little back woods girl who had been left from place to place and gave her a home of peace,love and security. Wherever Momma was, God was. Momma even sat in the Doctors office and took every vaccination along with me as I had not had any childhood medical attention and it all had to be complete before school entrance. She was no ordinary woman.
She was a woman who served her spouse well as a help meet and a wife, although there were times I wondered why she did. This was no ordinary woman. She loved him and stood by his side till the day she looked into the eyes of the lover of her soul and soared away with Him, (Jesus!) July 29, 2002. Daddy was a good man, he loved her, but he had his issues…and to this day I cannot name one issue my Momma had. She was no ordinary woman.
Everyday I loved Momma. Everyday I wanted to be with Momma. When I married I wanted and needed Momma. She always seemed to have the answers and if she didn't have my answers, then I had hers'. We became the very best of friends.
The day Momma left me for Jesus was both a day of relief as I could not bear her suffering, and a day of great sadness. I remember it like it was yesterday. I still long for her but all is well.
Momma was a healthy woman…as they say "she comes from good stock." She grew up around Booneville Missouri…. a farmer's daughter. She worked hard growing up and somehow those girls developed strength and sound bodies. Momma was a pretty girl even though she was a bit stocky. Stocky and strong….rarely ever sick, then at age 79 she (a non-smoker) was quickly taken with lung cancer……diagnosed and then gone in six weeks.
I and many friends sat in the hospital room as she was leaving. We prayed, we talked we laughed…..we sang old hymns which ministered to us rather than her because Momma liked the new choruses. We simply ministered to our own souls.
I sat by her side not knowing if she could hear me, but I needed to tell her (for my own benefit) how wonderful she was as a mother. I thanked her for loving me. I thanked her for the day she showed up after driving all the way from Colorado to some back woods country home in Missouri to find me, and then for later adopting me. Believe me; my adopted parents went through some hell and intense warfare to get this adoption completed. I thanked her for leading me to Jesus, (this she did when I was 5 years of age having told me of Jesus' death and resurrection, as well as the glories of heaven and the terrors of hell….I quickly and forever became a follower of Christ.)
I expressed my grateful heart that she raised me with this great spiritual heritage of Pentecost. I thanked her for praying "boys" out of my life, friends into my life, and for whipping me back onto the straight and narrow when I needed it. (Ah yes, you can believe that "whipping" heritage will continue through the generations of my blood line.)
Every little thing that popped into my mind that I knew would be missing when she left, I thanked her for. I wanted her to leave this planet knowing she had done well, was adored and loved and that there were no regrets, no resentments. I wanted her to know I would never be sitting in a counselor's office identifying that "Momma" was my problem. I wanted her to enter the presences of Jesus having left one reward to receive another.
I wanted Momma to receive a fare well of "Well Done Thou Good and Faithful" before she heard the same home Coming greeting from Him.
Sitting in the room when Momma left was difficult to say the least but there was such a peace and relief when she exited her mortal body. When Daddy (85) walked into the room with a group of (home going) angles following him and he leaned over Momma to say "Susie I release you to go," the atmosphere in the entire room began to stir as did Momma. She had been comatose for hours. Had only responded twice in nearly twenty-four hours…. one of those responses was toward me with a huge smile when I jumped in front of her and said "I'm here!"
She began to stir, her breathing changed, her eyes began to move. I could tell Momma was trying to decide what she should do…..it seemed when Daddy released her she became restless to go. Momma's work was done and she truly deserved to soar away to that place of glory she had glimpsed during the short six weeks……so I boldly commanded, "Momma! Go NOW! Go to Jesus!"
In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, Momma left. I felt her leave her body, I felt her leave the room.
I could think of no better response then to throw my hands in the air with hot tears streaming down my face, and look up and loudly worship HIM…. the one who had held her through the years and now embraced her for eternity. She's in good, safe hands.
I called HIM "FAITHFUL!" "GOOD!" AND "TRUE!"….to this day I still do.
Momma is gone from here but not gone for eternity…I will dwell where she is.
Her journey to heaven began a new journey for me…and it continues. When she left, a void became present, and there was no one to fill it. I was not looking for a Momma now, just a friend. It was a difficult journey to begin at that time…..looking for a true friend.
I'm on a mission……
Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Prov 18:24
but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Proverbs 18:24
This past Saturday, August 2, marks a double anniversary for me. First the birthday of my dear sister who is a bit older then I, and secondly the 6th year reminder of my mothers memorial celebration.
Momma was truly my closest, best and dearest friend. I will never forget the first day I saw her. Mind you, this lady was no ordinary woman. It is no ordinary woman who can take someone else's child and raise that child as her own, loving them from the very beginning. But Momma did that….for me and my sister.
No ordinary woman gets up in the night hours and prays until your life changes. No ordinary woman prays at the foot of your bed waking you to her godly petitions that "that boy" has to get out of your life. It is no ordinary woman who will cry out to God for you until your mind chooses to make the "right" decision. It is no ordinary woman who will stay with you and on your case in your dating choices, your spirit walk, your prayer time, your Bible reading, your conduct, your character, your response to God, your time in the altar and your successful obedience to HIM.
I was about FOUR years old when She walked into the door of my house (she and her husband.) They talked with my mother and visited for a long while. Company was an unusual event for Mommy and I and this couple was unique and unusual compared to those mommy usually hung around. Even at four years old I could see this. The visitation was sweet and exciting with much attention given to me (also an unusual event) and soon the decision was made…. I would leave with this couple whom I had never seen before….and I would not see my biological mother again until I was about 16 years old.
As I watched this unusual lady, I wondered at who this unknown woman was. She had dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders, dark brown shining eyes and a big beautiful smile. But something else constrained me; she was kind, friendly and warm as she reached for me. I was a bit timid but something about her captured my heart, compelled my interest and arrested my fears.
Although my biological mother had never once mentioned "HIM" to me, never once told me "He" existed, never once read a Bible verse to me, never once took me to Sunday school,….. God spoke to me the day that this "out of the ordinary" woman came to visit. Oh, I did not know then it was God, but the years have taught me that it truly was.
When she asked me…"Do you want to go and live with me?"….. it was explained I would not be returning to my mommy, my heart hesitated. "Going" sounded exciting, but the "no return" was frightening. This was the cycle of our lives, Mommy usually left and I was never certain she was coming back. But this day was different, I heard "HIM" speak, a "still small voice" within me…..said…."Go with her, she is a good woman." My heart settled and somehow I knew this was right, I trusted this woman. I cannot explain how a four year old knows such things or even thinks such things except it be a "God thing." I said "yes!" and ran to get my sweater and the one pair of shoes I owned and climbed up on her lap. I left with her, and never returned. She was no ordinary woman.
We rode together in the back seat of the car while Daddy (her husband) drove. I never looked back nor did I ever miss my biological mother whom I had loved…..because the gift given through Momma and her love and care was more then I would have ever received from the one who gave birth to me. This was no ordinary woman.
Through the years she took this broken little girl who had been labeled the "neighborhood orphan" and changed my life with love. She took a little girl who left her mother and home wearing a tattered little night gown, worn out shoes that were too small and one little cardigan sweater…..and gave her worth and pride, she bought her brand new clothes..... Momma dressed me well. Momma taught me to look my best for the King when I went to church. Momma taught me fashion, and Momma taught me manners and good conduct.
MOMMA took a dirty little girl and kept her clean. Momma took this little back woods girl who had been left from place to place and gave her a home of peace,love and security. Wherever Momma was, God was. Momma even sat in the Doctors office and took every vaccination along with me as I had not had any childhood medical attention and it all had to be complete before school entrance. She was no ordinary woman.
She was a woman who served her spouse well as a help meet and a wife, although there were times I wondered why she did. This was no ordinary woman. She loved him and stood by his side till the day she looked into the eyes of the lover of her soul and soared away with Him, (Jesus!) July 29, 2002. Daddy was a good man, he loved her, but he had his issues…and to this day I cannot name one issue my Momma had. She was no ordinary woman.
Everyday I loved Momma. Everyday I wanted to be with Momma. When I married I wanted and needed Momma. She always seemed to have the answers and if she didn't have my answers, then I had hers'. We became the very best of friends.
The day Momma left me for Jesus was both a day of relief as I could not bear her suffering, and a day of great sadness. I remember it like it was yesterday. I still long for her but all is well.
Momma was a healthy woman…as they say "she comes from good stock." She grew up around Booneville Missouri…. a farmer's daughter. She worked hard growing up and somehow those girls developed strength and sound bodies. Momma was a pretty girl even though she was a bit stocky. Stocky and strong….rarely ever sick, then at age 79 she (a non-smoker) was quickly taken with lung cancer……diagnosed and then gone in six weeks.
I and many friends sat in the hospital room as she was leaving. We prayed, we talked we laughed…..we sang old hymns which ministered to us rather than her because Momma liked the new choruses. We simply ministered to our own souls.
I sat by her side not knowing if she could hear me, but I needed to tell her (for my own benefit) how wonderful she was as a mother. I thanked her for loving me. I thanked her for the day she showed up after driving all the way from Colorado to some back woods country home in Missouri to find me, and then for later adopting me. Believe me; my adopted parents went through some hell and intense warfare to get this adoption completed. I thanked her for leading me to Jesus, (this she did when I was 5 years of age having told me of Jesus' death and resurrection, as well as the glories of heaven and the terrors of hell….I quickly and forever became a follower of Christ.)
I expressed my grateful heart that she raised me with this great spiritual heritage of Pentecost. I thanked her for praying "boys" out of my life, friends into my life, and for whipping me back onto the straight and narrow when I needed it. (Ah yes, you can believe that "whipping" heritage will continue through the generations of my blood line.)
Every little thing that popped into my mind that I knew would be missing when she left, I thanked her for. I wanted her to leave this planet knowing she had done well, was adored and loved and that there were no regrets, no resentments. I wanted her to know I would never be sitting in a counselor's office identifying that "Momma" was my problem. I wanted her to enter the presences of Jesus having left one reward to receive another.
I wanted Momma to receive a fare well of "Well Done Thou Good and Faithful" before she heard the same home Coming greeting from Him.
Sitting in the room when Momma left was difficult to say the least but there was such a peace and relief when she exited her mortal body. When Daddy (85) walked into the room with a group of (home going) angles following him and he leaned over Momma to say "Susie I release you to go," the atmosphere in the entire room began to stir as did Momma. She had been comatose for hours. Had only responded twice in nearly twenty-four hours…. one of those responses was toward me with a huge smile when I jumped in front of her and said "I'm here!"
She began to stir, her breathing changed, her eyes began to move. I could tell Momma was trying to decide what she should do…..it seemed when Daddy released her she became restless to go. Momma's work was done and she truly deserved to soar away to that place of glory she had glimpsed during the short six weeks……so I boldly commanded, "Momma! Go NOW! Go to Jesus!"
In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, Momma left. I felt her leave her body, I felt her leave the room.
I could think of no better response then to throw my hands in the air with hot tears streaming down my face, and look up and loudly worship HIM…. the one who had held her through the years and now embraced her for eternity. She's in good, safe hands.
I called HIM "FAITHFUL!" "GOOD!" AND "TRUE!"….to this day I still do.
Momma is gone from here but not gone for eternity…I will dwell where she is.
Her journey to heaven began a new journey for me…and it continues. When she left, a void became present, and there was no one to fill it. I was not looking for a Momma now, just a friend. It was a difficult journey to begin at that time…..looking for a true friend.
I'm on a mission……
Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family.
Prov 18:24
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