BUT every once in a while something happens, someone says something, or sage words are spoken. Those unforgettable moments become turning points.
I commented in Tracie's blog entry yesterday about such a time when a Titus woman at church nipped gossip in the bud and refocused the ladies on prayer and support. She spoke firmly, but her words held love and direction instead of rebuke. Her example lives on long past the day she passed from this world and went to join Jesus.
An absolute watershed moment in my life was when Daddy slipped into Jesus' keeping. Mom and Daddy had a storybook marriage for fifty-nine years. Mom, my sister, and I were around the bed. After days of coma, Daddy suddenly opened his eyes. He and Mom exchanged a look, then Daddy raised his arm upward toward heaven and went Home. Mom cried out his name. THEN she bowed her head and immediately started praying aloud. Her first words: "Lord, thank you..." She poured out thanksgiving for their years together, their love, God's faithfulness...Writing this, I'm crying again. What a powerful lesson that was for me-- it embodied the verse, "In everything give thanks." I want to live like that. I NEED to live like that.
Amongst us, we all have moments like that--but we don't often speak of them. What a pity! Those moment of incredible wisdom aren't to be hoarded. By sharing them, we have the honor of encouraging each other to be stronger believers, better wives and mothers, kinder friends, and second-hand teachers of the most precious and important lessons we've heard.So I invite you--share a watershed moment with us all. Tell us what touched your heart, changed your soul, or directed your life. In doing so, we honor those who taught us and we encourage those who walk along with us on this path of faith.
Please share. We all long to grow!
Cathy
Cathy, I am bawling too much to share...just read the posts by Kim, Tracie and you....all so inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteStill have my pain; one injection done, but dr. wants to wait before another (sigh).
I attended a Kindle class at the small, local library yesterday and when I tried to do a download there, not many Christian fictions were available. Then I spotted Fancy Pants & quickly chose it!
Jackie S.
jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net
Jackie, I hope you enjoy Fancy Pants. I had a lot of fun keeping Syd's secret from Big Tim!
ReplyDeleteIt is because I needed to escape the pain of my original back injury that I started writing. Though I hate that you hurt, I'll pray that God gives you a special gift in the midst of this trial.
Cathy
Cathy, This is a very profound Post and very difficult to write down on paper, my water shed moment!
ReplyDeleteSuffice to say at the time of my beloved Dad's passing, I witnessed a truly amazing miracle. His hearing was fully restored after a lifetime of hearing impairment and for the last 49 years of his life (he died 3 weeks shy of his 90th birthday) he became profoundly deaf!
Our Family members gathered around his bed and as soon as one of us spoke, he immediately turned his head directly towards the particular person who was speaking at the time. He would acknowledge us with his beautiful blue eyes and smile. In fact he smiled a great deal and at times was seeing something far beyond us. At times, he appeared to look through our eyes was obviously "seeing " something he approved of! He was beyond speaking by this stage, but just before he died, he turned to my sister, myself and his grandchildren. His look lingered on us, to what seemed to us an interminable length of time and then bade us farewell as he passed! His last Port of call on earth, was my darling Mum! They held each other's gaze for AGES ! Mum clasped Dad's hand and they said their good byes. She then gave her "permission" for him to leave us. He looked at her one last time and (we swear to this day that he winked at her!) closed his eyes and continued his journey. This was so special because finally, he was also able to re unite with his Parents whom he lost as a young boy. His Dad passed away on Christmas Eve and my Grandmother still went ahead to give my Dad and his siblings a Christmas celebration. How hard that must have been for her! My Dad was only 10 years old when his Dad died and 14 when his Mum died. She died from Septicaemia ..as result of dirty instruments being used on her during surgery!
Family was ALWAYS very important to my Dad and he was extremely fortunate to meet my Mum and her parents ,when he was a young Catechist at their Parish Church. He counted his Blessings and he has left all of us an enormous legacy ..TRUST,FAITH HOPE and LOVE! That is why I am so passionate about 1 Corinthians Ch 13. It is my favourite Bible Reading, as well as being my School Chapter read constantly to us as impressionable stidents during school assembly.
I think I might see my Dad smile and wave, as we fly high to the States on Tuesday!
See you Friday of next week, Cath!
Rosie, that is so touching!
ReplyDeleteSomething you said resonates with me. Your daddy didn't have a family, but yours took him in and made sure he knew he belonged. My husband came from a shattered background. Mom and Daddy accepted him wholeheartedly. Now, Chris and I are doing the same with our son-in-law. The lesson lives on. Love endures!
Wave at your daddy as you fly to the States. Have a safe flight, and we'll have a great time Friday!
Cathy