Mom's Psalm 136 for 2020
On January
6, 2021, I published a blog based on Psalm 136. My mom, inspired by what she
read, decided to write her own version of the same psalm and sent me a copy. I
filed it and forgot about it. It didn’t really register just how significant
her psalm was until my niece read it at Mom’s memorial service. You see, Mom
lost her battle with breast cancer on May 13, 2021, just a few weeks after she
penned the last verse of her psalm.
The
Lord did not answer her prayer according to how we had hoped. There was no
miraculous healing but rather an arduous short journey as cancer took her from
us one day at a time. And yet we witnessed many miracles the greatest of which
was the grace with which my mom died. She was full of gratitude for everything
we did for her. So very quick to forgive those who had hurt her. Her sense of
humour never waned. Though she had questions for God like, “Why are you waiting
to take me home?” as she struggled to get enough air into the lungs that were
filling with cancer. “Where are you? I can’t feel you.” And yet, she kept
leaning on him and calling to him, trusting that he would help her with what
she needed.
One
of Mom’s pet peeves was when people would share about how God had answered
their prayers and follow up with, “Isn’t God good?!” She would ask, “Would you
think he was good even if he had said ‘no’?” She would insist that God is good.
Period.
I
thought it appropriate to share her “Psalm 136” with you. May you find
encouragement in her words and attitude.
Betty’s Psalm 136 – for 2020
1.
I was able to travel with West Jet to B. C. to visit family
For His mercy/love endures forever
2.
Saw my granddaughter, Roxanne; brother Jake/Doris; and nephew Eldon/Sheila;
niece Faythe and family; and others
For His mercy endures forever.
3.
Roxanne took me up a mountain ski resort for supper,
overlooking the city lights of
Vancouver.
For His mercy endures forever.
4.
Also able to see my friend Emmi, in Kelowna; a dear friend from Kola
For His mercy endures forever.
5.
Then on to Alberta to see my families there.
For His mercy endures forever.
6.
Big birthday celebrations at Karen and Normans’ place with Connie/Tom; Keith/Geneva;
and all grand and great
grandchildren except one family.
For His mercy endures forever.
7.
Safe arrival back home…
His mercy endures forever.
8.
More birthday celebration with my Manitoba families at Dave/Sharon’s.
For His mercy endures forever.
9.
Covid 19 hit! No more Mitchell Senior Choir.
For His mercy endures forever.
10.
Restrictions as to visits – no visitors into Woodhaven Manor.
For His mercy endures forever.
11.
Drive through coffees with family and friends.
For His mercy endures forever.
12.
A brief let up of restrictions…can meet outside…
For His mercy endures forever.
13.
My siblings came together in our gazebo
For His mercy endures forever.
14.
Fearful diagnosis of cancer; what now???
For His mercy endures forever.
15.
Doctors’ visits, more tests…
For His mercy endures forever.
16.
Karen and Connie came for a much-needed visit…at just the right time.
For His mercy endures forever.
17.
Surgery; mastectomy and lymph nodes…
For His mercy endures forever.
18.
Karen came to stay with me during and after surgery (2 weeks)
For His mercy endures forever.
19.
Grieving whatever the surgery took from me…
For His mercy endures forever.
20.
Connie came for a week…at the right time to help with appointments
For His mercy endures forever.
21.
Hard decisions about future treatments – decided no treatments.
For His mercy endures forever.
22.
Have peace about the decision…
For His mercy endures forever.
23.
Lost my hearing aid…able to get a new, better one through insurance.
For His mercy endures forever.
24.
No Christmas gatherings.
For His mercy endures forever.
25.
Gifts and groceries delivered at the entryway.
For His mercy endures forever.
26.
Zoom meetings with family.
For His mercy endures forever.
Amen!
I
want to be just like her when I grow up!
Here are some photos of my mom, some with me in them.
November 22, 2019
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