Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at 5:52 AM, my beautiful, loving Mother and friend went home to be with the Lord. I'm so grateful God allowed me to pour out all my love on my Momma during her last earthly days, and will always remember this time in my life as a precious gift from heaven.
As I prepare to memorialize my Mother, one of my sisters at my church wrote this amazing poem based simply off of the prayer request I've sent over the last 4 months. I'm amazed and thankful at how she captured the life and breathe of my experience with my mom and this season and wanted to share it with you.
Thank you Paula for sharing your very special gift.
I love you Momma…always & forever.
Dorothy J. Kaplan
November 11, 1940 – December 11, 2013
The Humbled Heart Is God’s Servant
Your mother had to have been a very special woman
Because her daughter is a true child of God
You worshipped, you prayed and you praised Him daily
Knowing that He is your lightening rod
And when there was an important choice to be made
Whether to run the world race or to stand
You listened to God when He clearly spoke
Saying “My child stay and hold your mother’s hand
You are needed more here than you are needed there
The world race will be waiting for you
I have a plan and a purpose for you to fulfill
I have something more important for you to do
My word says please honor your mother and father
So that your days are long on this earth
This is the woman who was there for you
That stood by you from the day of your birth”
Tera, you have done what the Lord has asked
You were obedient to the word you’ve been given
You have served God in the way your mother needed
Took care of Arnold and assisted in his daily living
You were a constant source of support for your mother
You prayed and you praised God together
You strengthened the bond between mother and daughter
Forging an unbreakable tie that no one can sever
When the doctors were skeptical about her recovery
You turned to the only One who could know
To your Father in heaven because He knows all things
And His perfect will dictated the way you should go
You took your mom home because that was her wish
After the doctors gave their worldly point of view
But you said you would wait for God to decide
When His word was clear He would speak it to you.
When the time had come and night had fallen
And her discomfort was too difficult to bear
She told you that she just wanted to go home
So in the morning she breathed her last breath of air
You were there to hear it, to feel the last heart beat
To know that your mother was now going home
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord
With Him she is never ever going to be alone
So take comfort in knowing she is in the best place
In God’s hands she will rest and be free
From all pain and all illness and all worldly cares
You were in the right place as you were meant to be
When some time has passed you will be ready again
To fulfill your dream of being a part of the world race
God will always send you where He needs you to go
Only He knows the timing and He knows the place
Know how much He loves you and that you served Him well
Served Him humbly without thought of personal regard
God will honor your service and value your obedience
And at the end of your days you will see your reward
So reach out and let us comfort your grieving heart
Let us now stand for you; we will all be right here
You’ve been strong you’ve persevered so now take some time
To rest in our love as your New Light family draws near.
With All My Love
Paula Joseph
December 2013
