One Week in Heaven

(ROCKWALL, TX — October 15, 2018) I have a new appreciation for the phrase, “My faith has become sight.” My Mother spent most of her 100 years living “by faith”. She could not see the future. She did not live in the past, even though she had lots of it. Growing up in a family with nine children produced rich history, some filled with hilarity, others documenting dysfunction that permeates all families (if they are willing to admit it). Doctors, lawyers, (No Indian chiefs. That’s on the other side of my family!), nurses, teachers, principals, postmen, seamstresses, gardeners, vets, homemakers, railroad conductors…all stemmed from a family that lived by faith, not by sight.

While Mother had really good eyesight here on Planet Earth, she could not hear it thunder. The Saturday morning, the day after she got her hearing aids, I received a phone call. “I thought there was a mouse in my apartment!!!!!! But it was the pages of my Bible rustling as I turned them!!!!” I think she had missed so much of our conversations, also receiving misinformation because she could not hear! The Bible doesn’t say we’ll hear perfectly, but it does say that He will make all things new. So, I suppose she’s hearing the slightest mention of her name saying, “Pauline, well done
good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.”

And could my Mother be in charge of things!!!!! She ran the Surgery Waiting Room at the hospital like a machine. Even the surgeons were afraid of her. They would seek her out to arrange time in the Family Room when they had bad news to report after a procedure. She would guard the door like a bull dog, giving the families time to process the news they had been given. She would often call down to the Coffee Bar to send up coffee or water for them. The Chaplain and she were on first name basis. She would have him paged already after simply seeing the demeanor of the surgeon. Her sight and her ability to discern need was overwhelming.

She’s seeing clearly now, hearing perfectly, rejoicing with her Savior and family, all of whom preceded her in death. That reunion must have taken quite a bit of time, but then heaven has no time limits, no clocks ticking, no hurrying to catch up.

Reminding myself of these promises has given me such comfort, such joy. Mother blessed those who cared for her even when she was the most difficult. This is a thank you to all who contributed to the quality of her days while she waited to “hear” His call from believing to seeing, hearing, and experiencing the glories prepared for her, not in Room 204B, but Heaven.

That’s a Good Word.

By Paula Lively. Paula is a Volunteer Chaplain at Broadmoor Medical Lodge in Rockwall. She is a VERY retired RN who loves serving the residents at Broadmoor. She and her husband, Fred, have lived in Rockwall for 15 years.

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