Metro Moms

When God Delays

You may remember we at Metro Moms talking about my friend, Mark, who died recently of complications from a liver transplant.  Benny and I had the privilege of attending Mark's funeral in Northern Virginia with our former church family.  The memorial service was one of the most edifying and moving I've ever attended.  Mark's life was celebrated -- as was the compelling example of my friend, Marie, who selflessly cared for her husband for his final two very challenging years.

Although we moved to Orlando 8 years ago, memories of our years of friendship with the Walker family are keen and warm.  In addition to all the fun, we also remember conversations with Mark about his desire for his life to count for eternity.  He longed for God to use him, and wondered at times if that meant a call to some kind of vocational ministry -- something that never happened and, at times, tempted him to discouragement.  But he was encouraged by a personal sense, confirmed by a prophetic impression from someone over 20 years ago, that he would someday preach the gospel to a room full of people.  He waited and wondered.

At the funeral the best was saved for last -- a delightful video history of Mark's life.  It was a tearful walk, starting with pictures of him as a baby and continuing through his wedding, the births of his five children (one of whom I was privileged to witness when Daniel was born at home), and his final years in his hospital bed surrounded by smiling family and friends.

The still pictures ended and a short video began.  His wife, Marie, is holding their camera and "interviewing" Mark in bed.  She was obviously making a chronicle of his final months and weeks -- a treasure for current and future generations.  "Mark, why do you love Jesus?" she asked, not knowing how Mark would answer.  With labored breathing and stroke-induced speech, Mark joyfully spoke of his Savior.  He talked about what Jesus meant to him -- His atoning death, His love, His forgiveness, the hope of heaven.  There was hardly a dry eye in the room. 

Mark preached the gospel to a room full of people -- at his own funeral. 

Are there hopes and dreams unfulfilled in your life?  Prayers yet unanswered?  Longings your heart swells over that you wonder will ever be met?  Perplexing delays?  Temptations to jealousy over others having things you want...things you believe (hope?) the Lord wants for you?

God's timing is perfect.  If what you desire is truly God's plan, nothing will thwart it happening.  Delays are providential -- even when it seems people are the source of the waiting. The question to us is this:  Do we trust God to grant the desires HE has placed into our hearts in HIS time?

I'm sure Mark didn't know he would have to wait 2 decades for the fulfillment of the God-ordained desire in his heart.  Or that he would be gone before it happened. But God was gloriously honored and Mark's unbelieving friends and family heard the gospel...from him.

Lord, help us to trust You with our heartfelt desires.  You know what's there...the requests we've made to you.  The longings for things we believe are biblical and worthy.  The temptations to impatience, unbelief and bitterness when delays assault our confidence in Your providential control over every circumstance and person in our lives.  Help us to prize Your glory over our hopes.  And if we have to keep waiting, give us strength to resist sinful reactions to Your sovereign plan.  You are faithful!  And nothing can thwart Your plans.  Thank you, Lord!

Posted by Sheree

 

Goodbye Aunt Evelyn

August 27, 2007: Yesterday I spent the afternoon preparing a personally requested southern meal for David.  He's a "like family" friend who was celebrating his 24th birthday.

As I bustled in the kitchen checking the 2 pans of chicken frying while peeling potatoes and enjoying the smell of our family's favorite chocolate cake in the oven, I thought of "the sisters."  Mom was one of eight with 4 sisters.  My earliest memories are of my family spending many Sunday afternoons at Aunt Vergie, Aunt Ocie or Aunt Evelyn's houses eating fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, huge biscuits dripping with butter and apple butter, and yummy homemade cakes and pies...or banana pudding.  While the sisters cooked, my many cousins and I played in the backyard and anticipated the meal.  It was always the highlight of the week.

Mom and one of the sisters have gone to be with the Lord in recent years.  In the kitchen yesterday I was missing them all...wishing at least one could walk in the door (yes, preferably Mom) and join me to make sure I had coated the chicken just right.  Hearing the sound of the chicken frying brought tears to my eyes in memory of them.  As a girl I learned a lot from the sisters.  We've all heard that "more is caught than taught."  Yesterday I reflected on what I caught from them:

• Love for being with family, even when it meant Mom saying no other things I would have rather done with friends.
• The joy of having a house full of people, including many loud children who make and leave messes.  (A good lesson to learn since it's my house now full of kids and grandkids!)
• Spending 3 hours cooking a meal that will be consumed in 20 minutes is not only ok but worth every minute spent over the stove just to hear the "ummms" and then to linger around the table talking after dinner.
• Being around the family table is special...very different than eating at a restaurant.  (Although I greatly enjoy eating out sometimes!) 
• Making enough "just in case" someone unexpectedly shows up hungry just adds to the joy of hospitality!
• It's important for kids to hear stories about the antics and dreams and memories of the generations before them, especially around the table. I knew the stories well, but it was fun to see my children come to love hearing the sisters talk about the same stories over and over and over again.

Last night, after the family (and a few extra out-of-town friends) finished David's dinner and the kitchen was somewhat tidy, a group of his friends showed up for pool volleyball and cake. Several of them hadn't had dinner so out came the leftovers.  For the second time in an evening the kitchen was full of chatting and eating and mess.  I realized how much I LOVE having a house full of people enjoying fellowship and food...thanks again to the sisters. 

As the party was beginning to wind down late, I received a call from my sister in Virginia to tell me 86-year-old Aunt Evelyn died in her sleep the night before.  Another of the sisters is now gone. The days musings and memories came crashing on my emotions as I cried.  Benny comforted me.  Joey hugged me.  We were all sad.  But soon we began to laugh.  Memories of Mom and the sisters always end up with laughter.  They taught us to love, to laugh and, yes, they taught us girls to cook. 

So it's goodbye to Aunt Evelyn.  After she spends some considerable time worshiping in gratitude and awe at the Savior's feet maybe the sisters will prepare some seriously good food for my Daddy and the growing number of family that have joined the cloud of witnesses.   

With some extra "just in case" food for those who may show up at the table later.

Posted by Sheree enjoying a glass of sweet tea