Little Foxes

As I begin to write this I have the CD of our choirs new music playing and at this moment I'm sheltered in the arms of God is playing and what a joy it is to know this. So let the storms break high, the dark clouds rise they won't worry me, for I'm sheltered in the arms of God .He walks with me and none of earth can harm me for I'm sheltered in the arms of God. Soon I shall hear the call from heaven's portals...Come home my child it's the last mile you must trod, I'll wait with the and follow thee safe withing the arms of God.
Before I turned on my computer I had been going through my unsorted mail and reread the beautiful birthday card I received from my daughter Mary. Some of the verse says, "as I understand a little more about life, and as I learn a little more about myself and as I see a little more of the world about me....My thoughts were drawn back to my own relationship with my mother who passed over January 14, 2009. For the first 9 years of my life I lived with my grandmother and then went to live with my mother when she returned from working in the atomic bomb plant in Oak Ridge Tennessee. The next five years were difficult to say the least and I've had to have a lot of healing during the years ahead. However...like the sentiments in the card, as I have had to experience life, and have learned more about Mom's struggles I have realized what incredible tenacity and determination she had to have to raise her family. At the memorial service for Mom, being the oldest, I was asked to give a tribute to Mom and this morning (as I was searching for something else in a recent journal) I found some notes I had made in advance. I share them now as a tribute to my mother.She did the best she knew how to do at the time....and bore tremendous burdens within herself that I'm certain prompted much of her frustration, anger and moments of ill advised choices. Like most of us, as Mom grew in the Lord, she learned the Word and the Lord began to free her step by step bringing her into a close relationship with her Dearest Friend. I have felt led to record my notes here as there are so many in our family that Mom prayed for regularly...every moment it seemed at times...and now a year later, I want to remind us of all she was and is at this very moment in that great cloud of witnesses. My tribute:My joy at this time is knowing that my mother has entered that great cloud of witnesses who have finished their race, kept their faith and at this very moment are realizing and enjoying the promise of eternal life provided us through our Saviour Jesus Christ. When Mom was young, she loved to dance and one of my fondest memories of her are hearing her sing all the oldies she loved to dance to. I remember her singing quite frequently. the song ONCE IN A WHILE won't you give one little thought to me.Now I think it was more a wish..than just a song. It was a desire for many of her relationships with her own parents and siblings. I think , if you're old enough, we could all join in and sing another oldie now..."Regrets, I've had a few...I did it my way." However, the songs she continued to sing in her later years were..."Through it all I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God, I've learned to depend on His Word. and
One day at a time sweet Jesus...Lord help me today ..show me the way ..one day at a time." So many gathered here today out of love and respect for Mom know how very talented she was...resourceful, artistic, great cook,seamstress and how very competitive. (now there's a thought ,maybe we can win once in while at dominoes now), energetic, determined ,inventive etc. We the family have all benefited from those genes , however I encourage my extended family to contemplate and examine all her heartaches and trials( that were many and seemingly unending),and know that the greatest gift to us is her ever growing ,strengthening faith in God and her lessons learned and shared from doing it HIS WAY. Every single day, maybe several times during the day, she lifted every single one of us by name before the throne of God and even today I believe she is still pulling for us. Her deepest desire was and is that when the last puzzle piece of our life is in place, we too may say with confidence..."I have kept the faith, I have finished the course and Iam entering into the eternal life promised to all who believe in, trust in and obey Jesus Christ the Messiah and God's Word made flesh."This is getting quite long....so I am going to continue my notes tomorrow...I don't think I said all of this, nevertheless....I wrote it and want to share it, in hopes that those who knew and loved Mom would...ONCE IN A WHILE GIVE ONE LITTLE THOUGHT TO HER. Thanks Mom....see you soon.