As most of you know, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. She recently decided to stop chemotherapy. On August 24th, her doctors decided to place her in hospice. Upon receiving this news, I flew home to be with her and the rest of my family.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
~Matthew 5:4 NIV
One of the many cards my mother has sent to encourage me…
My mother signs her name and follows it with a smiley face. She has smiley face pencils and coffee mugs, and used to adorn the walls of her classroom with all kinds of smiley faces. So in her honor, I found the perfect yellow dress to wear on the day when we will gather to remember her and celebrate her life.
I love shoes with bows on them!
Beholding God’s glory in a pair of yellow flip flops
Prior to receiving the phone call to return home, I received a package in the mail. The package was from Nonie, one of my mentors. Nonie and I have spent countless hours discussing God and what He says via the Scriptures. We also love to discuss life while browsing the shoe department at Nordstrom’s. 🙂
I opened the package to find a pair of bright yellow flip flops. I couldn’t believe my eyes! They match the dress I will wear at my mother’s “Celebration of Life.”
(BTW, my mother does not want a funeral, she wants us to celebrate her homecoming, and so we will!)
As I tried my flip flops on, I had to chuckle while the tears started to fall. It wasn’t by coincidence that a woman I hadn’t talked to in a while
just happened to be strolling down a shoe aisle,
and just happened to see this particular pair of flip flops,
and just happened to feel that she should surprise me with them.
No, this is the excellence, the care, and the comfort of our God. He is concerned with the details of my life. He took care of me through the obedience and love of a fellow sister in Christ.
I beheld the glory of God that day.
He is close to those who mourn…
Beholding the glory of God at 30,000 feet.
Several days later, I packed up my flip flops. I boarded the airplane physically and emotionally groggy. I had no idea what my mother would look like, and if I would be wearing my yellow dress by weeks end. All I knew is that I had to get home.
Minutes into the flight, my thoughts were interrupted by a friendly airline steward. I guess I looked awful because he asked if I was ok, and where we were headed and why. I told him briefly about my mother and our situation.
Towards the end of the flight, he came back to my seat and kneeled down beside me. He shared with me that he was also a Christian. He shared how Jesus had changed his life and asked if he could pray over me and my entire family.
In that moment, with my head bowed and hands grasping his, tears began to fall. I was flooded with the peace of God that does surpass my understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7)
This is the excellence, the timing, and the comfort of our God. He is concerned with the details of my life. He took care of me through the obedience and love of a fellow brother in Christ.
I beheld the glory of God that day.
He is close to those who mourn…
Looking back over the past week, I learned something new about my Abba Father. His glory not only demonstrates who He is but how He cares for those who mourn…
I am indeed blessed. (Matthew 5:4)
Praise Him!
*My mother was kept in hospice for a few days and then was allowed to return home. She continues to be alert mentally, but weak physically. A hospice nurse continues to help my father care for her at their home. While I know that things can change very quickly, I am thankful for the conversations and memories I made with her this week.
Please know how much all of your prayers and support via email, phone calls, texts, tweets, and Facebook comments mean to me. God has used YOU to care for me as well…thank you!
May the eyes of your heart catch glimpses of God’s glory today,
Love this and love God’s Tracy!! Praying for you.
Love you too Donna! Thank you for your prayers–I can feel them 🙂
Stop making me cry so early in the morning! Just kidding … I loved seeing Roxie’s handwriting. I can’t believe how much your writing looks like hers! xo
J- I have never noticed that about our handwriting before, you are correct! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and for all of your love, support, and prayers!
Oh sweet Tracy– it took all of this pregnant woman’s strength not to completely burst into tears, both for your challenges with family stuff right now but also for God’s amazing reminders with the “little things.”
I continue to pray… Love and miss you dear friend– thanks for sharing this with me.
PS: I have a little yellow flower clippy for your hair that would perfectly match your dress and flops… Just saying. <3
Ship that hair clip girlfriend! 🙂 Thank you for your prayers and comment, beautiful mama! Miss you too and GO CATS!!!!
I’m so happy that you are being comforted at every turn. I can only imagine how wonderful that must be. As you know, I didn’t have much of that, if any at all, during my mother’s final days. So it must be a great relief to have people praying with you and caring for you. My thoughts are ALWAYS with you and your family.
Tristine-thank you my friend for your continued prayers and support. I remember you sharing about that when your mother died. I pray that God continues to comfort you and Jared, and that He will bring you into a faithful and loving community. I am thankful God has crossed our paths and I continue to pray for you as well. Blessings Tristine 🙂
Writing these words through tears, friend. Just beautiful. I LOVE how God orchestrates things. A pair of yellow flip flops. How cool is that! So thankful you had that time with your mom. Continuing to pray for you and your family.
Eileen-yes, God is always moving…may the Spirt open our eyes to see the infinite ways He loves us! Thank you for your continued prayers, love, and support. So thankful for you and Happy Birthday 🙂
Tracy,
When I received the news that your mom was going to Hospice, I cried. I wasn’t ready to say ‘goodbye’! But as my husband and I talked about her I remembered – she was going HOME! Home to be with our Lord! I was overwhelmed with Love from our Father knowing He was waiting with open arms for His daughter to return. And then when we found out she was able to return home with your dad, I thought – well God is quite ready for His daughter to come home. His purpose, through her, isn’t finished yet. Your love messages through this website and Facebook are part of His plan for her life – to share with others the joy and love and mercy only HE can provide. You and Jamie are a testament to your parents and their open and honest love of God!
May God continue to bless you!
Hi Jo-Thank you for your comment-it blesses my heart! I couldn’t believe when I walked into hospice and my mother was up walking around. I just had to smile a little. God apparently wasn’t calling her home yet! My mother and I believe that there are no good byes in Christ-so we just keep telling each other “I will see you later.” Because that is the truth Jo- you and I will see her later. What a reunion that will be :). Dad, Jamie, and I thank you for your prayers and support…
Tracy, thank you for sharing God’s sweet acts of comfort and grace. Though miles separate friends and family, nothing…nothing separates us from God’s unfailing love.
Lifting you up,
Dawn
Amen and amen Dawn. Thank you for your kind words, prayers, and for reminding me of one of my FAVE verses (Romans 8:38-39)…breast cancer can’t separate us from the love of God either. Seeing how calm and peaceful my mother is right now is proof that she knows WHO is holding her…once again, God leaves me speechless.
Tracy, thinking of you and Roxie. hugs and love sweet sisters!
Gina
Thank you Gina for your support and love. Us Kappas stick together through it all! Have a blessed weekend and GO CATS!!!:)
Hugs and prayers coming your way sweet friend. x?x? You always make me cry. I just love how the Lord has you safely in his arms and is carrying you over the hard places.
Kelley
no worries, lol. Been there (sigh). Blessings my friend 🙂
Those were hearts…not question marks. oops~ Thinking of you today!
Sweet friend! What a gift you have for communicating all that our Father is showing you! Thanks for sharing!
Donna-thank you for your encouragement today. Talking and writing about what God is doing helps me to process and heal. Praising God for using our story to encourage others, and praying it brings Him the glory that is only His. Have a blessed weekend Donna 🙂
I needed to hear about God’s grace. Thank you for sharing! I will pray that God continues to shine blessings and comfort on your whole family!
I love you Tracy girl. Your testimony here today is so strong and comforting. You are building up the kingdom of God through your words and heart. Continuing to hold you, and your Mama up to the Great I Am through thoughts and prayers. ~ Blessings dear sister, Amy
Been praying for you and your family Tracy. For as long as I have known you, I have and will continue to pray for Roxie until she meets our Lord face to face. Your post brought tears to my eyes, knowing how God has carried her so many years, her life has brought encouragement to SO many and will continue to. I am so glad you were able to spend more time with her, such precious memories. -Lisa
Lisa-My heart is so blessed by your comments, thank you! I appreciate your faithfulness in walking with me through my mother’s cancer. God has certainly “carried her”–it is so true! Thank you for your continued prayers my friend. God is so good 🙂
Tracy, now I know why I haven’t read anything on your blog for awhile. I am remembering my sweet mom’s last days here, and what a treasure it was to be with her, my sister and her husband, my husband, and my boys. To see all those who loved her and who she had touched. I wasn’t aware they all loved her so much. I was aware Jesus did. So was she. I am praying for your daddy, and all your family. She must be so proud. And feel so loved….To God be the glory, Adele
Adele-yes I have been MIA, but missing my blog family here at One Degree! But the time with my mother has been so sweet. Praising God for your memories with your mom as well! Thank you for your prayers my sweet friend. To God be the glory indeed. Blessings 🙂
Sweet Tracy – I so enjoy your blogs. With each one I am reminded of His love for me. I pray that God continues his many blessings on you and your family at such a difficult time. Comforting prayers as well. Julie
Julie-thank you for your kind words. They bless and bring comfort! God is answering your prayers–His comfort and peace IS surpassing my understanding right now. Bless you as you continue to seek Him.
Amy-thank you for your comment and love my dear friend. I keep thinking of Colossians 3:2 where it says to set your mind on things above. It is helping me to keep an eternal perspective in the midst of the pain. Oh how our family prays that this trial brings God glory!!! I also thank you for your continued prayers…blessings 🙂
Shannon-thank you for your prayers! I know that God is hearing them and holding our entire family close. Praying that your mind and heart will experience God’s grace today…He loves YOU Shannon. Have a blessed weekend!
Kelley-oh dear, hopefully some of those are happy tears? Yes, the Lord is holding me and my entire family close. Praising Him for His peace and comfort that IS surpassing my understanding…
Oh, Tracy… this is a beautiful testimony of God’s grace and mercy in our time of need! He does SEE us, Comfort us, and Heal our hearts.
I am praying for you, sweet friend. Treasure those moments with your sweet momma – She is leaving a legacy through you!
Much love,
Kelli
Thank you Kelli for your encouraging words! God does see and His love prompts Him to act-usually in ways that surprise me :). Your prayers and support are a blessing. God bless and I am praying for you and your family right now also…
I continue to keep you all in my prayers. Your testimony here of God’s care in the midst of sadness is beautiful. I pray He continues to bring abundant encouragement to you at this time especially. Your mom sounds like an amazing and strong woman of great godly virtue.
Thank you Amy. Your words and prayers are a HUGE blessing to my family and me. My mom, or Foxy Roxie, as we call is her is amazing. Her example of trust and faith in the Lord has remained the same throughout these past 11 years. She has indeed impacted my faith more than any other…I am so thankful for her. I am also thankful that Jesus died so that her life would not be lost!!! Knowing this is what truly keeps a “pep in my step” these days-praise Him! Have a blessed day Amy 🙂
Hi Tracy,
I randomly found your blog today. It was such an amazing inspiration to me. You are such a beautiful lady and I pray that God continues to work through you. Thank you for taking your time to inspire those around you!
Melanie
Melanie~ your comment truly blessed me today. It is an honor to write about our Awesome God! Praising Him for encouraging your heart today 🙂