‘You make known to me the PATH OF LIFE; in YOUR PRESENCE there is FULLNESS OF JOY; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’Psalm 16:11
Thanks to my audience for your faithfulness in reading my blogs and following me along life’s path. I love hearing your stories as I travel, see your remarks on Facebook or in the comment section. Please feel free to pass along my blog to others who might find the stories helpful or the questions asked beneficial.
What an inspiration of hope and joy to know that we can be an encouragement to one another, that we are not alone on this journey.
In this Christmas season I am reminded of Matthew 2:10 where we hear the story of the Shepherds, ‘And when they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.’
‘And the Psalmist tells us in Psalm 16:11b “In your presence there is fullness of joy.’ Psalm 16:11b
We all have our stories but we are part of God’s bigger story together. Let’s keep intentionally telling our God Stories in Praise to God.
SO AS YOU LOOK BACK OVER 2019 WHAT HAS BROUGHT YOU HIS GREAT JOY?
One joy recently, Jim (my husband) and I returned from a trip to Europe where we were with a group of 75 young leaders where we both spoke on the Theme of “Dwelling” for 6 sessions. Shawna, our daughter, also joined us and spoke. It became a beautiful family affair; not to mention an incredible theme.
What a privilege also to serve the next generation. One of the sessions I spoke on was built around the theme of Dwell from Psalm 84.
‘Blessed are those who dwell in your house (the Lord’s) ever singing your praise, SELAH.’ As I practice sitting in His presence and singing praises to Him, my heart longs to draw others along with me. (Even if I cannot carry a tune).
Christ came down to this earth and dwelt among us in order to offer life and eternal life to all. He is ‘Emmanual’ ‘God with us’! God invites ‘us’ to come into his presence, to dwell with Him. One day we can sit with Him forever.
As we sat with these young leaders from all over the world for 8 days we felt God’s love and affection. We dwelt together in His presence. What a joy to hear their Kairos moments (those epoch moments) with God (His Story in their lives) as well as their respective journeys’ of pain over the last year. They vulnerably allowed us to peep into their beautiful hearts. Do not underestamate the power of skilled listening, sitting in God’s presence together hearing one another’s stories and watch God do the healing.
How can we be present and show God’s love for others if we have not learned to experience His personal presence daily ourselves? This reminds me of another story that still lingers in my mind’s eye with much joy but not without a path of pain.
GOD WITH US!
As I entered the room my mom sat up in bed looking very sad. She hardly looked at me!
‘Mom would you like me to sit beside you in bed and we can watch TV together?’ I asked as I often had each month I visited her over the last couple of years.
‘No! You just sit in the chair!’ responding sharply as she pointed to the only chair in the room.
My brother-in-law, Larry, has faithfully taken care of my mom for 13 plus years. He is such a saint to watch my mom even after my younger sister’s death, and his wife, 3 years ago, in 2016. This has allowed Jim (my husband) and me to continue to travel and do our mission work for the Lord. He just recently remarried. We (my siblings and myself) are all very happy for him.
But now my mom got to the point where she needs more care and Larry is able to provide. We understood as a family but of course this left us all with lots of questions and very uncertian next steps.
My mom, already on a waiting list at a nursing home for sometime and all the paper work completed seemed to produce no open doors for her.
What are we to do as a family? ‘Lord, what would you have me to do?‘ I internalized.
‘Should I move from Pennsylvania to South Carolina to take care of my mom? Should she come live with me? I will give up traveling with Jim if this is what you would like? But we are not sure Lord, if this is what you want! So much to consider Lord!’
As we, my siblings, Larry and I, did our due diligence, a door for a facility miraclously opened up within a month. We felt God’s hand of Presence and guidance at every turn but not without much prayer, and some tears.
The day came for my siblings and i, together, to tell our mom that she would be moving. This seemed the hardest!
Recalling other aging parents stories: How will she react? Would I ever feel the love of my mom the same again?
‘Mom your life is going to change in two weeks. You are going to have to move to another home soon?’ All seemed so quick and harsh but in reality it wasn’t. This was a long time in coming. But she didn’t know that.
We all wanted her to know we were in on this together and wanted the best for her. So I decided to stay an extra night with her in case she needed more time to process with someone.
As I set in the same room with my mom, watching her face and disposition, I grieved. I found myself dwelling with the Lord in His presence as a child sits in the lap of her Father. Knowing the only safe place to be was with Him because any other place felt like shakey ground.
We knew we were doing what was best for her but it didn’t feel like it. God had confirmed His steps with us. Yet, so much still unknown going forward. I sat praying for her and for me that God would help us all now, too. Not knowing the outcome I needed to continue to feel Him holding our hands in this process of transition. I wanted my mom to feel Him most of all.
As I set there in silence. Every few minutes my mom would ask a question or two. I gently answered her as a mother to a child would answer yet I was the daughter and she is the mom.
We as a family anticipated as much of my mother’s desires as we could but I couldn’t answer all of my mom’s questions. I told her with God we would walk together to find those answers but we were all taking steps of faith as He shows us. I didn’t try to change her feelings but held them tenderly knowing ultimately He knows all and would meet her where she was as he had been doing with us.
The next morning as we were leaving I asked my mom again . ‘Mom I am leaving would you like me to lay in bed with you one last time?’
This time she said ‘YES’, to my surprise. The next time I come back it would be to move her to her new place.
As we sat in silence again she said ‘I LOVE YOU!’
You do mom? Why do you say that?
I think you need to hear it? She said. Wow! My mom was now consoling me. Still a mom.
Even when we are having to put you in a new ‘HOME’? As we were calling the facility.
‘Yes! I know this is as hard on you as it is on me, and you will walk with me through it.’ She said as tears whaled up in my eyes. I felt the words were from God Himself. My mom, my sibblings and I walked with her into her next chapter.
This was another one of my Kairos moments (one of those epoch moments from God Himself) this year.
Often much joy, HIS JOY is not absent of much pain.
This is the end of this story about my mom but not the end of HIS STORY. Scroll ahead 6 months later, my mom is now settled and doing well. Every time I call my mom on the phone or visit her now she mentions somewhere in our conversation, ‘I love this place. So thankful I am here.’ Again, words from God Himself, I believe.
Thank you for allowing me to share my joyful Kairos Moments from this past year, 2019. So I ask again, what are some of your joyful Kairos Moments this past year 2019? We would love to hear them.
May I pray for you? ‘May you also feel His warm presence today and seek more of His joy in your life this coming year 2020. Selah, In Jesus’ Name.’
(Quote from Jim O’Neill and a prayer for you as you go into 2020 as well), ‘May you also bring deep and generous affections to bear upon your dwelling seasons with the loving Savior, especially often needed in long seasons of pilgrimage and remember to bring HIS dwelling with you into the Kairos moments of mission to see that Jesus’ name is made famous among All Peoples.’
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS: What cames to mind as you read this blog?. What are some of your joyful Kairos moments this past year 2019? Ask and share with someone else this same question this week. What reaction did you get or how did you feel sharing? What are your thoughts about the statement ‘not underestimating the importance of giving others your presence?’ What ways have you showed God’s presence to others especially if you have aging parents? Would love to hear any of your comments….
From One Pilgrim to another together on the journey,
“Consider how you may spur one another on towards love and good deeds….. encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
“Intentionally journeying alongside women in order to encourage them to see God in their story, moving them closer to Jesus, and to discover their place in God’s Kingdom”
Please Reply in a gracious manner