Quite a few bloggers that I follow do this thing called “Five-Minute Friday.” According the online host of this activity, FFM is a weekly writing link-up in which bloggers “free write for five minutes flat” on a single word prompt.
I’ve never blogged in response to a prompt before, nor have I EVER written anything in just five minutes. The idea has always intrigued me, though.
I’ve done a few quick writes without posting anything. I always figured I would just know when I should try it publicly.
Today is the day, friends. The prompt for the week is NEXT.
• • •
You know me. I always read the end of the book first. I want to know how the story ends.
I’m about to find out, at least when it comes to my mom’s story.
What comes next for her is certain. Her eternal home awaits. The arms of her loving heavenly Father are prepared to welcome her. Her body will be restored, complete, whole.
What a day that will be.
For her.
What comes next for those of us she leaves behind remains to be seen. I know what I’m feeling now—sadness, some trepidation, a bit of relief, a whole lot of questions about logistics.
But I don’t know what I will feel when it’s all over. I’ve never been down this road before.
Others can tell me about the terrain and the landmarks and what to expect along the way, but it’s a journey each of us who love my mom will have to traverse in our own unique ways.
The irony is not lost on me that I’m writing this on Good Friday. Death doesn’t have the final word.
Yes, it’s speaking pretty loudly right now.
But Sunday is coming.
♥ Lois
UPDATE: I originally posted this Friday morning. Eleven hours later, my mom passed away. It gives my family great comfort to know that as we were celebrating Easter here, she was in the presence of her eternal Father in heaven.
P.S. I’m linking up this week with Five-Minute Friday, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory and Let’s Have Coffee.
24 comments
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom and my heart aches for you. What a beautiful celebration your mom had this Easter. Blessings and hugs!
Thanks so much, Mary. Can you even imagine Easter in heaven? It really is a comfort to know my mom was there! Hugs, friend.
Aw, my heart hurts for you, Lois. 🙁 Even when we know the end is near, it’s still painful when we reach it. Praying for your comfort as you adjust to life without your mom’s presence here. Blessings to you, friend.
Thanks so much, Lisa. I know you can relate. Hugs, friend.
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord works to prepare your heart in. a. little. prompt. Sorry for your loss.
I saw your face on the link up and remembered you so I’m glad I passed by. I know it’s hard (my mom passed 14 years ago and it seems like just yesterday).
Powerful Scripture verses encouraged me. What was hidden in my heart became a treasure trove of comfortHere’s a little poem I wrote (people have used it at memorials). Hope it encourages you. It’s called “The Rope”
Grasping the rope
To that future hope
In this land of hopelessness
Doesn’t burn my hands
Or draw blood
To the surface
Somehow, it brings comfort
Holds me secure
I know Who holds the other end
He’s there
Pulling me through
The valley of the Shadow of Death
The tug of His companionship
The touch of His encouragement
The security of His faithfulness
His love spurs me on
I get to the end
Of the rope
He is there
Holds me close
Wipes away every tear
And whispers in my ear
Well done,
My good and faithful servant
Now enter into My rest
The rope
No longer needed
Falls away in oblivion
In the land
Of happy endings
Memories of hopelessness
Fade away
Struggles in the
Valley of the Shadow of death
Are no more
I have arrived!
In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted Him and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted Him. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation. (Isaiah 25:9)
Oh Christine … thank you so much for sharing your poem with me. It’s beautiful and expresses so much! I’m sorry for your loss too … the truth of scripture is encouraging me during this time, just as it has done for you since you lost your mom.
Praying God fills you and your family with peace and hope and wonderful memories in this season.
Thank you, Rebecca … it’s sad but yes, there is peace and definitely lots of wonderful memories!
So sorry for your loss, Lois. Praying God’s comfort and peace for you today.
Thanks so much, Sarah. 🙂
Lois, I am so sorry for your loss. As I started reading this post, you have so expressed my own heart at the thought of losing either of my parents as I truly don’t feel “ready”. But then … I don’t think we ever will be. How comforting for us to know that death will not have the last word. It did not have it at Calvary, and will not have it for any of us either. May we hold on to our hope in Christ and take comfort that we will all be reunited one day, never to be separated ever again. Praying this morning for you and your family.
Oh Joanne … thank you so much for your prayers and kind words. The thought of being reunited with my mom in heaven one day truly is a wonderful comfort … the hope of heaven is real in a way that it never was before, that’s for sure. Hugs, friend.
Lois, there is so much you will learn about yourself during this time. This one thing I know for sure, God never waste anything we go through. I would bring my mother back in a heartbeat but not in the state she left this earth. She looked like she was dead that last week. In fact she look so much better after she died and the funeral home worked on her, put makeup one her, filled in her cheeks, put a soft light on her face. It took me a while to look at the picture I have taped now on my computer desk. I had to take it down and put it away but finally the stages of grief passed but not the missing her everyday. But grief is really a gift we have, I feel for those who have no one to grieve for or worst that will grieve for them. Just keep walking through your day as you love on her what ever state she is in. Death is not pretty, isn’t suppose to be but oh heaven will make up for it. Will be praying for during this time.
Betty, I was so comforted when I read this soon after you commented, and now again, as I am just getting back to responding. There’s so much hope attached to the truth that “God never wastes anything we go through” … that’s long been a conviction of mine too. 🙂 I’m grateful for your prayers and kind words … It’s so encouraging to hear from others who have been down this road and know what it feels like.
I’m so glad to see you here, Lois, and so sorry for your loss. This is a well-written and very moving post.
Since I’m dying of a couple of cancers, I can sort of relate, I guess.
You inspired a short poem. Hope you like it.
This fight is not over yet
but the writing’s on the wall.
My strength’s a sure bet,
but I will one day fall.
Don’t dare indulge in sorrow
for that was not my way.
Point your heart into tomorrow
and deep-six yesterday.
Nothing good is ever lost
by God who saves each tear;
so onward, and reject the cost
of a mourning year.
So dry your eyes, I’m not dead;
the road bends, and I’ve gone on ahead.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/04/your-dying-spouse-608-easter-horizon.html
Andrew, I read your poem the day I posted to FMF a couple weeks ago and was truly touched … then my mom died that night and I’m just getting back to answering blog comments. Thank you so much for your kind words … I’m glad you stopped by when you did.
So glad you joined the FMF…did you enjoy the challenge? Five minutes is a blip when you are trying to write something that sounds coherent!! Praying for you, your family and your mom as you journey these last days together. Praying that Easter will be peace-filled and a wonderful reminder of how the victory that is ours as His children!
I did enjoy the FMF challenge, Jennifer. Not sure if I will make it a regular practice, but maybe this summer would be a good time to try. 🙂 I so appreciate your prayers … your words about Easter remind me of one of the songs we used for my mom’s slide show: “The Cross has the Final Word.”
Lois, it’s lovely to see you at FMF – I’m glad you joined in! And I’m praying for you and your mom and the rest of the family that you know hope in Jesus’ victory over death this Easter and God’s peace in all the sorrow and uncertainty. Hugs!
Thanks, Lesley … I’m glad I joined FMF that day too! I hope to do it again, but I will probably hold my expectations loosely and just do it when the word strikes me just right. 🙂 Thank you so much for your prayers and kind words. Easter will never again be the same for our family … the hope of heaven is suddenly much more real!
First, I wish to say Welcome to Five Minute Friday! But most importantly, I wish to tell you that my heart goes out to you in this time in your life, as you prepare to say “good night” to your mom. My dad graduated to heaven eight years ago at this same time of year, and I had the joy of being with him. You’re right. It’s something each of us deals with in our own way, but God gives grace, and not a minute too soon, but always right on time. –Your FMF neighbor #16
Aw, Angela … I love the idea of saying “good night” and how you say that your dad “graduated to heaven.” Thank you for your compassionate, empathetic words. I’m counting on what you said … that God will give grace “not a minute too soon, but always right on time.”
Lois, I’m really moved by your post. Having lost my own mom in 2014 I connect with your words about wondering what the next steps/stages will be like. Yes, others can tell you what it was like for them, but there is no manual. Just step by step. Thanks for writing this and pray for peace through it all.
Jeannie (your neighbour in the FMF linkup at #14)
“There is no manual. Just step by step.” That is such an apt description of how I feel right now, Jeannie. Thanks so much for sharing about your mom and how you can relate … I’m sorry for your loss and find comfort in hearing from others who have also lost a parent.