Homecoming

I wrote this in April of 2006 after my Momma passed away.  I thought it was gone forever when my last blog disappeared after trouble with our server.  I am so thankful that I found it again, I hope it blesses you.

even so, it is well with my soul

Homecoming

April 7th, 2006

There is a certain relief in letting go of a loved one that has been suffering. There is a peace, even amidst the sorrow, of loosening our grasp, when we realize that perfect healing awaits them on the other side.

Today Momma stepped into eternity where sorrow, death and pain concern her no more. She is free from the constraints of discomfort, grief, and heartache, and worshiping at the feet of the One to whom she devoted herself.

I found a sweet little note written by my daughter to her Grandmother while she lay dying. I found it to be rather profound, filled with as much love as a ten year old can pack into three sentences. It reads:

Dear Grandma

I love you. You are going to be with Grandpa and Jesus.

You have done so much for me, I can only return with love.

Your heart was set on God, and now you get to see what was in your heart.

My Mom never got to read her little love note from my daughter, but somehow, I think maybe Jesus will get the message to her. I love the idea of God opening up her heart and showing her what was inside, all those wonderful treasures that she stored up inside for heaven…treasures that moths and rust could not touch, treasures that will last an eternity…treasures that a ten year old little girl had the insight into.

Treasures.

God

Her heart was set on God, and all those other “treasures” just found their rightful place in perspective.  Family, home, friends…flowers…all those things about Momma/Grandma that make us smile when we remember her. Love for God was what lit Grandma up from the inside up, that love set everything else in it’s proper spot.

The day before Mom’s homegoing, her nurse was in her room, and could see that she was getting close to that point. She told us that if we had anything we needed to tell her, we needed to do so, because she was very close. We all began blessing her with words that we had stored in our hearts. There were tears shed as we prepared ourselves to let go, but Mom was not ready.

She held on, and even pulled out of her deep sleep to laugh and eat and hug her grandbabies goodnight one last time. So much better did she appear, that the nurse called off 24 hour care and went home. Momma said “tell him he can go home, we don’t need him here.“ He checked her lungs–miraculously clear, breathing wonderfully! Her color had returned, as did her strength and her wit. She spoke of how it was time now for her “Homecoming” and what a wonderful day it would be. She wondered aloud if there would be any pain when it came that time, and over and over again, she said “Wonderful Homecoming”, “Wonderful Day”

“Are you hurting anywhere Momma?”

“No, I can’t say that I am, honey”

“Are you comfortable?”

“All is well. It is well….It is well with my soul”

“Would you like to sing a song, Momma”

“Yes, that would be nice”

And so we began, my Momma, sister and I, singing together the words of that beautiful hymn that was on Momma’s lips.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

When we finished singing, Mom continued saying “It is well, all is well…” until she fell asleep.

My brother woke me up in the early hours of April 7 to let me know that Mom was going soon.  When I entered her room, her breathing was labored, but she was alert, and looked right at me and waved.  She knew she was leaving this earth for a better place, and I can hear her saying “it’s not good-bye, honey; it’s see ya later”.

See ya, Mom.

I love you.