Mom

My mom went to heaven today. She passed from this life to her eternal reward about 1:00 p.m., July 15, 2021. She has been battling Dementia for six years. We had to call in Hospice ten days ago. My sister Holane and I have been rotating sitting with her. Her heart was so strong, she lived much longer than the doctors expected. I was there at the St. Joseph's House with her when she passed. Her transition has been so peaceful. I don't believe she had any pain or felt anxiety. She was at rest. 

My mother was born in 1934. She grew up in the era of the great depression, World War II, The Civil Rights movement and more - all in the deep south in rural, north Louisiana. She was acquainted with hard work, death (her mother died when mom was in her twenties) and social unrest. My grandfather was married three times. His first wife had died leaving him a widower with two young sons. He married an older woman with three sons and four daughters. They had two daughters together - my mom and her sister Loraine. When my grandmother died, my grandfather remarried again - this time to a widow with three children of her own. My mom had twelve step brothers and sisters but I never heard the term "step" used even once in our home. This blended family was every bit as close as any blood relatives would have been. Mom didn't create that culture, but she fully embraced it and she carried it on to her dying day. 

My mom was a wonderful homemaker. She worked tirelessly to see our clothes were clean, our home was comfortable and there was a home-cooked meal on the table two-to-three times a day! My parents always kept a garden so there was always fresh vegetables as a part of those meals. Mom was an incredible cook! Southern dishes were her specialty - chicken and dumplings, fried chicken and mashed potatoes, roast rice and gravy - all served with sweet tea! I'm gaining wait just thinking about it. She had a big sweet tooth so there was always dessert to go with those meals. Fresh pies, cakes, cobblers and cookies were always around with coffee to go with it. Two of the staple food items at our house were breakfast foods - sausage biscuits (with the ground meat and cheese baked into the biscuit) and Raisin Brand Muffins. These could be warmed up and eaten as a snack any time of day! 

Mother was the consummate pastor's wife. She was an accomplished pianist and singer and always helped with the worship at church. She was by dad's side at funerals, weddings and hospital calls. People loved her and cherished her friendship. Mom had life-long friends that were still connected to her to the very end - friendships that dated back over 80 years! 

The greatest gift my mother gave us was how she loved our father. She stood by him through good times and bad. That "For Better or Worse, till death do we part" business - she meant! I am so grateful my siblings and I were raised by such God-fearing, people-loving, hard-working, life-giving parents. Over the past 18 months or so there is been a national dialog about the idea of privilege. There is no question in my mind that anyone raised in a home like I was raised, by people like the ones who raised me are privileged! I am forever indebted. 

I love you mom. 

Talking to Jesus

On Father's Day I preached a sermon called Fatherly Advice and shared five of the top things I learned from my dad growing up. Number five was how to talk to Jesus. I wrapped up the message with this cover of the Brandon Lake song.