Short Stories
The last few days with my Aunt Mabel were difficult ones.
It is always such a privilege, and yet so indescribably fraught to be with someone who is dying. Aunt Mabel knew the Lord; she had known Him all the days of her long and incredible life.
“I’m going home now, Laura,” she said.
Her eyes were bright, but her body was as frail as a bird.
In the corner of the room, her wheel-chair looked strange without her. The cushions she had patch-worked sat in their little heap, unused. But the sea still sang its song outside her window; the little birds still came to feed on the seed she’d asked me to scatter, by the windswept winter hedge.
One of the things Aunt Mabel wanted me to do with her, on this journey back to God, was to help her write a ‘construction’ of her thoughts, as she called them.
“I’ll give the ideas, girl,” she said, grinning weakly, “You just put ’em into English!”
I praised the Lord for the powerful medicines the good doctors had given my Aunt Mabel, to ease the pain. It made it a little easier, just to know she wasn’t hurting like she had been. The nurse who was looking after her, had given us some time alone together; she would be back later that afternoon. We sure appreciated that time; we spoke of gentle things, things that hardly seemed to matter in the scheme of things… just the churning prattle of the human voice, really – no more than that, but it meant a lot to Aunt Mabel, I could tell.
Well, we worked on Aunt Mabel’s ‘construction’ for a day or two, and she seemed happy enough. But after that, things went down-hill with her. I held her hand, and prayed and stroked the beautiful white hair that had always been her crowning glory, and so it was, still (apart from the wondrous eyes, and that smile!). I tried to be of what comfort I could; my heart was so heavy inside of me, that I could hardly bear it. Then:
“Read me my little story, Laura,” she managed in a whisper, clutching at my hand, “Hm?”
And so I took up Aunt Mabel’s story, for what was to be the final time, and with the greatest difficulty, I read what she had said, and what I (unworthy soul!) had tried to weave within the beauty of those luminous, gold thoughts. I’d like to share a little of this with you now, if I may, dear friends. Aunt Mabel’s ‘construction’ went something like this:
‘… We who journey into the arms of the Lord have no choice but to leave you to your world of beauty and tears, and so it is, how it should be – yet know this…
Our journey is not so unexpected, not so new… We, who have loved the Lord have been preparing all our lives for this moment when our heart will find it’s true home; our love will find it’s true wings and fly out from the fear that is only human, into the realms of light, where breath is a fight no more, and life flees the time of shadow and Begins…
Perhaps the angels have dreamed of me some night in recent passing, as I have dreamed of them? If this is so, then I am a most happy pilgrim! Perhaps I shall fall asleep and when I wake again, they shall know me, and I shall be eternally, with Him - -
Come, Lord Jesus – for I believe I hear you calling my name – never so clearly, as now…
Your faithful servant needs you, Lord – do not forget.
I ask only for your forgiveness, Lord –
I love you, Lord.
Amen.’
By the time I had finished reading, Aunt Mabel was gone.
* * * * * * * *
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.”
Psalm 48:14
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8
* * * * * * * * *
© 2010 Laura Swindon-Ross
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 3189 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Laura Swindon-Ross or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 3189 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.