Heaven Sent Sentiments

My mom, Sue, is the first person that introduced me to Jesus. She did this in two ways, by living her life with a personal relationship with Jesus and by having several conversations with me, about Jesus, sitting Indian style on her king-size bed. During one of those conversations, just my mommy and me, I made a decision that changed my life and heart forever.

I can still picture the bedroom – all browns, beiges, and avocado green circa the late 1970s! My mom and dad’s bed was near their bedroom door with nightstands on each side. Brownish-bronze lamps with beige lampshades graced each side table. A long, wooden mirrored dresser stood opposite the large window in their bedroom. I can picture it so clearly–like a Polaroid snapshot in time–because that is one moment that changed my life forever. I made a personal dedication to Jesus that day, and I wanted Him to live in my heart forever. I was eight years old.

God used my mother’s relationship with Jesus to change my life those many years ago–and ten years later He would do the same thing again–although this defining moment brought me to my knees in a desperate way.

November 7, 1990, twenty -eight years ago today exactly, my mother went Home to Jesus. She died three months after she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 39. I was only 18 years old and my heart felt literally broken. Like it could never be the same again.

If you know me and have read my blog, you know that I have touched on this several times. It is because this is the biggest life-changing moment in my life. God has used all of what I experienced through my mother’s death for His glory. He has taken every tear, heartache, and hurt, and transformed them through His grace-to joy, understanding, and love.

This journey, since the loss of my mom, has not been easy, but Jesus has never left my side and He has shown me that He was with me then and He is with me now! I have testimony after testimony of God’s guidance, provision, and presence during those difficult days and our journey together thus far. It has been my experience that:

“After the dust of a trial settles, we are able to see more clearly the footprints and fingerprints of God’s guidance, provision, and presence” (Crenshaw, Shanon 2015).

I cannot begin to tell you the number of times God has placed people in my life to share my testimony on this, and I love it, because my light shines bright because of Him! All the glory to God! Don’t you just love it when He transforms a hardship in your life in such a powerful way and then He gives you the privilege of sharing His light and love in your life with others? It’s incredible!! 🙂

I would like to close with this. Time and time again, the scripture the Lord used the most in healing me was Psalm 139. He spoke life and peace to my heart by using the whole chapter, at different times, over the years. My favorite verse is the following: “…All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16. This particular verse has brought me so much peace. I just love it. He is the God of all of my days.

**I’ve included two of my mom’s favorite things in this post. At the time of her death, her favorite song was “Friends” by Michael W. Smith. It continues to be one of mine as well and I think of her every time I hear it. Also, my parents had a print of this picture, of Jesus hugging someone coming Home, hanging in our house when I was growing up. It now hangs in my bedroom, by the door, and I see it every time I go in my room.

Until we meet again Mommy, with Jesus, your love and memory are in my heart daily!!

All the glory to God,

Shanon

Image of Coming Home to Jesus! Giant Hug! by Pinterest.

Image of Heaven in my Heart: A hug from Jesus by Heaven in my Heart blogstop.com

Image of Friends by Michael W. Smith by likesuccess.com