Quote from Forum Archives on April 26, 2007, 10:57 am

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

"Mom's Last Laugh "

 

 

Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat.
I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense, I found it hard to breathe at times.

Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life.

 

When Mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her. I counted it an honor.

 

"What now, Lord?" I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife's hand. My sister sat slumped against her husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child.

 

All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone.

My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord.

 

My work was finished, and I was alone.

 

I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle.

 

"I'm late," he explained, though no explanation was necessary.

 

After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, "Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of 'Margaret'?"

"Because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary. No one called her 'Mary,'" I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn't have sat on the other side of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting.

 

Who was this stranger anyway?

 

"No, that isn't correct," he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, "Her name is Mary, Mary Peters."

 

"That isn't who this is."

 

"Isn't this the Lutheran church?"

 

"No, the Lutheran church is across the street."

 

"Oh."

 

" I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir."

The solemnness of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs.

 

The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious. I peeked at the bewildered, I could see the man was laughing, too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing.

 

At the final "Amen," we darted out a door and into the parking lot.

 

"I do believe we'll be the talk of the town," he smiled. He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee.

 

That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.

In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. This past June we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them, "Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made in Heaven."

By Robin Lee Shope

 

"I Saw Jesus "

I saw Jesus this week.
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt.
He was up at the church building,
He was alone and working hard.
For just a minute he looked a little like one of
our church members.
But it was Jesus, I could tell by his smile.
 
I saw Jesus last Sunday.
He was teaching a Bible class.
He didn't talk real loud or use long words,
But you could tell he
believed what he said.
For just a minute, he looked like my Sunday
School teacher.
But it was Jesus, I could tell by his loving voice.
 
I saw Jesus yesterday.
He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick.
They prayed together quietly.
For just a minute he looked like our pastor.
But it was Jesus, I could tell by the tears in his eyes.

 

I saw Jesus this morning.
He was in my kitchen making my breakfast.
He then fixed me a special
lunch to take with me.
For just a minute he looked like my Mom.
But it was Jesus, I could feel the love from his heart.
 
I saw Jesus today.
He was praying on his knees all alone.
He then began to cry for those he prayed for.
For just a minute he looked like a lady from
our church.
But it was Jesus, I could hear the compassion
poured out in his prayer.
 
I saw Jesus the other day.
He was at the grocery store talking to a friend.
He then put his arms around them to comfort them.
For just a minute he looked like a young mother
in our ladies class.
But it was Jesus, I could see the concern for others
who hurt.

 

I see Jesus everywhere.
Taking food to the sick,
Welcoming others to his home,
Being friendly to a newcomer,
And for just a minute I think he's someone I know.
But it's always Jesus, I can tell by the way he serves.

 

May someone see Jesus in you and me today!

 

 

Have a Blessed Weekend
Dave and Barbara

 

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