My Mother's Bible - The Legacy Found

Still.

In this moment I was still.

During this past week my spirit was all but still.

A phone call - Mom had fallen... fractured skull, multiple brain bleeds; an immediate flight across the country; hours of driving; decisions; sitting bedside; tears; conversations; prayers; more tears; arrangements; visitations; a service.

But for this moment, I was still - not moving; motionless; quiet.

In this moment I sat on the couch in a quiet room in a quiet house - not moving and not making a sound.

The silence was broken by a deep quiet sigh that seemed to hush my soul as I cast my eyes downward and to the left.

There it sat.  

Still.

I picked it up.

As I opened it God's "still, small voice" spoke.  Hidden blessing poured into my being. 

At first there were not words - just realization.  I was no longer in the emptiness of quiet.  I was in the calm of presence... both the presence of the Father whose love knows no bounds and in the comforting presence of my dearest friend, my mentor, my prayer warrior, my encourager... my mom.

Then the words came. 

They were my mother's words in her handwriting. 

Words of encouragement, support, comfort.  Words of trust, peace, blessed assurance.

Words of FAITH.
 

I "listened" to her words. As she "spoke" them I couldn't help but sit in awe and wonder as I turned pages and looked at the margins filled with her writing that held her thoughts and prayers.  She had so much to share...  Actually she'd given so much - not just in this moment but over a lifetime.  With God's Word she had nurtured our faith as we grew; prayed for us daily - - - even to her last earthly day.  What a gift! Blessing beyond measure. 

In the STILL, her legacy was found.

As I continued to turn pages, I began to soak in the words she had so purposefully underlined.

And my spirit heard the sound of STILLNESS. The Father's Word spoke.

"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD which he will work for you today... The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still"(Exodus 14:13-14).

"My presence will go with you and I will give you rest" (Exodus 33:14).

"The LORD bless you ad keep you:  The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you:  The LORD lift up his Countenance upon you, and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26).

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives to I give you  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27)

I went to the page that held Psalm 46.  His Word spoke "Be STILL and know that I am God". 

I was reminded that the command "be still" in Hebrew comes from the verb rapha which means "to be weak, to let go, to release". 

Be Still.  As I allowed myself to be weak the tears once again came letting go of all I had held I found release. 

It was my turn for words.

"Father,

Thank you for your tangible presence.  Thank you for your living Word.  Thank  you for giving your Son that we may live.  Thank you for my mom - for the faithful woman who raised me, loved me, nurtured me in you.  Thank you for releasing her from the sorrow and pain.  Thank you for this time with you... and her.  Allow me to carry her legacy on through You and give my children the blessing it holds."

Yes, in this moment I was STILL.

At rest; serene; restful;  untroubled; peaceful.

 It is my prayer for you to be blessed by the Word and Believe...