“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 ESV
I am holding onto this verse as I remember my mom tonight. Her faith was so strong. She lived the last several years in severe pain. However, she never lost faith. She sometimes asked why but always believed God was with her. I often compared her last couple of years with Job. Just as Job trusted and accepted God’s plan, so did Mom.
Her faith was what helped me go through some of my worst trials. She raised me to believe and trust no matter what life looked like to keep my eyes focused on God. Mom kept a verse in her phone, Isaiah 65:24, “Before they call, I will answer; while they are speaking, I will hear.” She knew that God was near listening to her through the pain and heartache. He was there. She would often whisper prayers as she lay in the hospital bed. She was always talking to God and believing that He heard her.
The last part of the verse says, “The assurance of things hoped for,” That means that no matter what we are facing, we can rest in our faith in God. He will see us through. We have hope that this world is not the final resting place and that we will live in eternity with Him. We will see a world that has no more pain, no more tears, a world that we will spend with our loved ones in the presence of our Heavenly Father. What a wonderful homecoming that will be.
Until then, I will live my life to honor my mom’s memory and seek God in everything that I do. He will give me the courage and strength to follow His path that He has set out for me.
Dear Lord, many friends, and family suffer tonight from losing a loved one or a scary diagnosis. Thank you for promising to be close to the brokenhearted. Please help them remember to call on you and have faith that you are listening. Stay close to them, heal their hearts, and give them the peace that only you can provide. In Jesus’s Name, I pray Amen.
Angie Mitchell
