Thursday 3 April 2014

Update on Mary: Letting Go

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better...
Philippians 1:21-23a

My mom has decided that she is done struggling to live on in the flesh. The incessant pain, the struggle to gain weight, the inability to sleep, the many unpleasant side effects of the chemo therapy, and (because it deserves to be said twice) the unrelenting pain, have become too much. She's tired, and she is ready for peace.

Please pray for peace.

Pray for peace for my mom. She is in a great deal of pain all the time.

Pray for peace for us, as we all come to terms with this decision.

Processing a change in expectations is hard. Knowing that we are going to lose our mom very soon is hard. Trying to navigate our lives and our "normals" as they are shifting under our feet is hard. We are all managing, but it is hard. You have all prayed for my mom so faithfully for the last two years, and we are so grateful. Please stick with us. We need your prayer now more than ever.

We are all scared, we are all drained, we are all so sad. We are all coming home, and will be focusing on spending time with my mom. Please pray we would have special times and good memories. Pray that my mom will get the rest she needs in the midst of chaos, and that her pain would decrease. Pray that we would all find peace.

My mom wants me to express how grateful she is for the friendship, love, and support you have shown our family over the last two years. She is so thankful for your prayers, your notes and letters, and all the many other ways you have expressed your love for her and us. We know that we have been richly blessed to call you friends, and that these last few years would not have been as wonderful as they were without you.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.


But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3: 7-11

7 comments:

Gretchen said...

My heart is unbelievably heavy for all of you right now. How I love your mama, my aunty. I am praying for incredible peace, outflowing of comfort and joy in the knowledge that she will be going on a journey that we will all take some day. I am praying for special comfort for you and Jeff and the boys as well as for Emily, Katie ad Kevin and their families.
I love you all so much!

sjrlough said...

You and your family have blessed us beyond measure. You so beautifully reflect the love of Christ. What a great reunion there will be someday and we rest in the blessed assurance that it will be for all eternity. May God grant you all His peace, for now and until that time.

Julaine said...

What can be said.... you are all champions and Mary has been the leader of you all. Stay close, hold one another, be present, love, cry, laugh, make memories, share fond memories, cherish every second. Rest in His strong, loving, gentle arms. Breathe in His love, bask in His presence, embrace the Holy Spirit as peace flows freely and wonderfully through your family. You are His, you are incredibly loved by HIm and by all who know you. Thank you for your lives, for the testimony of the living Jesus Christ in you, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen!

Unknown said...

Feeling your pain through many memories and tears. Praying for you all the peace of God which transcends understanding!

Unknown said...

Feeling your pain through many memories and tears. Praying for you all the peace of God which transcends understanding!

Judy said...

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Jess said...

Tears for you and your family as I read the last two posts, both happy and sad. I just recently read "Heaven Is For Real", and what a great way to once again solidify the loving and wonderful place your mom will shortly be going to. May you hold that tight when things become too unbearable.