May
8
2015
The Perfect Refrain
Posted in Motherhood 6 Comments
I have the privilege of teaching women’s Bible study.
Some of us have been together for many years.
Some women are new this year; some coming to a Bible study for the first time.
It is a humble blessing for me to teach these women as we study the Word of God.
We just finished the book of Genesis.
We learned so much from this book of beginnings.
We read firsthand about creation, the Fall, and God’s redemptive plan to save His people.
We were blessed as we realized that God uses flawed people to accomplish His Will.
The story of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, touched my heart.
Rachel died in childbirth after her second son, Benjamin, was born.
She was buried near Bethlehem.
Jacob mourned for her.
The story of Rachel touched me in a new way when I read about another mother.
She is the cousin of a friend of mine.
She was twenty-five years old with a husband and an eighteen-month-old son.
She died in childbirth along with her infant baby boy.
Her husband grieves.
Her little boy does not understand why his mommy is not there.
He cries for her.
Many cry for her.
Yet, with their strong Mennonite faith, her loved ones do not grieve as those without hope.
Even though this precious young woman is not here on earth, they will see her again.
They know that.
They cling to that truth.
I read some heartfelt words about her funeral.
It was written by a close friend.
It began; You would have liked the balloons.
It continued:
You would have liked the balloons. There were dozens of them, massed together in colorful bunches and handed out to your little son’s cousins at your burial. I thought the children would let them go all at once, but they released them slowly, one by one, and we watched them drift up until there were dozens of them floating away on the breeze…It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
I do not know this young mother who wrote those words.
I can only imagine as I read her account how difficult this is to comprehend.
She wrote about a pink balloon getting stuck in a tree.
She wrote about a father lifting his son on his shoulders to release the balloon.
She watched it drift slowly upward and thought of her friend who died giving life.
She thought of the woman and the infant son who preceded her in death.
She thought of a husband and a little boy, now alone.
She ended her words with what became a refrain; you would have liked the balloons.
I thought of Rachel dying after giving birth to Benjamin.
I thought of this precious young woman dying after giving birth to her son.
I thought of the balloon, finally released after being stuck in a tree.
I thought of heaven and mothers and empty places at tables.
We celebrate Mother’s Day in a few days.
For many, it means a card, flowers, a special gift, and a visit to be with your mother.
For others, it means an empty place at the table.
There is a void that only eternity can fill.
Holidays, that many of us take for granted, take on new meaning.
They become more precious when we realize how fragile we are.
They become something we cherish when we realize that there are no guarantees.
There are many empty places at tables where a mother should be.
We go about our days, not thinking about such tragedies.
We have our routines that keep us busy and keep us occupied.
But then in the stillness, we are faced with the truth.
There is an empty place at the table and we miss the mother that should be there.
Mother’s Day is difficult for many.
Because of Alzheimer’s disease, a mother is not the person she once was.
Because of illness, a mother does not have the vitality of her youth.
Because of death, a mother is missing from the table but present in our hearts.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Only God can love perfectly.
However, the earthly example of that unconditional love is the love of a mother.
A mother puts herself last for the sake of her child.
A mother’s heart is tethered to her child throughout her entire life.
Tethered like the string of the balloon that drifted upward.
It may have gotten stuck in a tree, but when it was released it was a beautiful sight.
A mother’s love is unique.
A mother’s love is indelible.
For that precious family, there will be tears and longing this Mother’s Day.
For many families there will be memories of other years and other celebrations.
Mothers love well, with a sweetness and tenderness that cannot be duplicated.
The only love that surpasses the love of a mother is the love of God.
The woman’s cousin wrote her thoughts after the unexpected death of this young mother.
Tonight I hold my baby closer…
None of us are promised tomorrow…
Her grief was palpable.
We are not promised tomorrow.
We only have today.
But we who are believers in the Lord Jesus do not grieve as one without Hope.
We have Tomorrow in another Place, our heavenly Home.
You would have liked the balloons…
The perfect refrain in this time of waiting.
The perfect gaze until then.
And the balloon drifted upward.
A void that only eternity can fill … so true and so hopeful! Happy Mother’s Day, my friend!
Cathy,
And we can understand that, you and I…
Happy Mother’s Day, friend!
Regina
My Mom went to be with the Lord 5 years ago on Mother’s Day, 2010. She was 100 years old. I was so blessed to have her all those years, and will always miss her until I see her again in heaven Thank you for this loving tribute.
Sue,
No matter how old we are, we still are little girls where our mothers are concerned. My mother died 40 years ago but I still have the wonderful memories tucked in my heart. I am so glad these words blessed you.
Gina
This is beautifully written & it makes me miss my mom, but im glad that she is there to call. thanks ,Gina.
I am delighted that this post blessed you.
Have a wonderful Mother’s Day, Kay.
The next time you visit your Mom, I would love to see you as well.
Gina