Godly Mamas and Good Water… [one year later]

It was the Clifford women who gathered early that second morning to sing as we waited the arrival of others. Her favorite hymn was Rock of Ages. Mama knew (and sang) every word of each stanza. She likely played it on the piano thousands of times over her lifetime. 

“While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgement throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.”

Witnessing two nights of mama’s heavenly conversations, I’ll never forget the pure joy radiating from her face as she awakened. The brightness in her eyes expressed glimpses of heaven. On day two, she asked for a sip of water and as she handed me the glass back, she said “ooo… that tastes good.” But it’s the way she said it, I’ll always remember. Like a lifelong thirst beyond any earthly comparison had just been quenched, she savored that last drink of cool water. It was if she had tasted something so unimaginably good, it was other worldly. And it was evident, she had one loose foot on earth and one solid foot in heaven.  

I recently read “You can’t see God, if you’re not looking for Him.” And it’s so true. If I could so boldly caution all of us tending a mortal life, I’d say 

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.”
1 Peter 2:11-12

My mama’s last words, “All I ask is that you LOVE one another”, fuel the mission I fastened myself to long ago. The mission to accept the greatest challenge ever issued to humanity—loving the unloveable. When considering the finished work of Jesus on the cross, we’re all unloveable. Every one of us. But yet He loved us anyway. He loved us enough to bear the unjust stripes and pay the enormous penalty for the wrongdoings of those whom openly mocked, ridiculed, and rejected Him. People like us…  Ought we not try to love one another considering the unfathomable love He has given us?

“To be so FULL of God’s love, I no longer fathom speaking an unkind word or committing an unkind deed.” That is my quest, join me!?” 

Godly mamas are hard to come by, cherish and honor them—all your days! 💕

You can join the journey and #acceptthelovechallenge by simply saying “I’m in” and then downloading your free #theLOVEChallenge acceptance card. Simply, share your email and click subscribe. And as always, I love hearing about your journey—this side of heaven.