YOU ARE EITHER REDEEMED OR YOU ARE NOT

MY MOM – 1917 – 2007

My mother went to be with the Lord on March 12, 2007, fourteen years ago today. It’s hard to believe that I haven’t seen my mother in fourteen years. I take comfort in knowing that I will see her again one day when I cross over to the other side. In fact those were my last words to her when she was dying. I told her… “we will see each other again”. How wonderful is that!

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

I wanted to share a little bit about her life for posterity. Who knows, maybe this post will find it’s way to someone in my family one day down the road.

My grandparents immigrated from Italy to America. Jennie, my mother, was born here in the U.S, in New York, in 1917. The story goes (as best as I can remember) that when she was a very young child she and her brother were playing by an open window and she fell out (he pushed her out?). By God’s grace a clothes line broke her fall, and landing on some grass she survived. Shortly after that incident her family went back to Italy. I’m not sure why they did that. It may have had something to do with her fall, but I’m not sure.

My mother returned to the U.S. when she was in her early 20’s. The world was at the brink of World War II at the time. Her father borrowed money and bought her a ticket to travel on a ship named the Rex. My mother had a friend who was going to America too, but her voyage was to be on a later ship. She wanted my mother to wait so they could travel together. My grandfather wisely urged my mother not to wait. He felt a sense of urgency that there should be no delay in her travel plans. My mother left Formia, her hometown, without her friend and travelled alone. It turned out that her friend never made it to America. Travel between the two countries ceased because of World War II. If my mother had waited she would have been in Italy for the duration of the war. Instead she spent those years with my father’s relatives here in the U.S. It was a difficult time for a young bride like my mother.

“Formia was severely damaged during World War II by the bombing of the allied forces.”

My mother only returned to Italy once for a visit, many many years later. She never wanted to go back. She had grown up in poverty and known suffering at an early age. There was no running water in the house she lived in with her parents and siblings, and often there was not enough food. She told me stories of going to draw water as a young girl, and bringing it home in a jug that she carried on her head.

My mother married my father before she left for America on the Rex. My father was supposed to follow her here within six months. Because of World War II my father’s trip was delayed for nine years, yes nine years, and for those nine years he wasn’t able to contact her, and she didn’t know if he was dead or alive. Then one day she had a dream, and in the dream a little bird was on her windowsill, and in his beak was an envelope. Shortly thereafter she received a letter from my father. And eventually after the war they were reunited.

But the most important journey of my mother’s life was her journey to the Lord! How wonderful is that! She was born again before she left this earth! You can read more about my mother’s life and her journey to the Lord here…

THE FLOWER FADETH

HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE

MY MOM’S SALVATION TESTIMONY

Today, November 10th, is the date on which my Mom was born into this world.

I loved my Mom dearly and for many years I prayed for her and shared God’s Word with her.

What follows is my Mom’s testimony of being delivered from the false gospel of Rome, and being born again into the Kingdom of God. Hallelujah!

At the links below you will find all of the articles I have posted about my mother.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the “Man Under Authority” and with Him all things are possible. Walk in the Spirit.  Walk in love.  Evangelize!

MIRACLE OF MERCY

Psalm 116:1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Matthew Henry:

Note, It is God’s great mercy to us that we are alive; and the mercy is the more sensible if we have been at death’s door and yet have been spared and raised up, just turned to destruction and yet ordered to return. That a life so often forfeited, and so often exposed, should yet be lengthened out, is a miracle of mercy. The deliverance of the soul from spiritual and eternal death is especially to be acknowledged by all those who are now sanctified and shall be shortly glorified.

Or, “Thou hast delivered my feet from falling into the grave, when I had one foot there already.”

A MOTHER’S DAY STORY – A story of reconciliation.

MAN UNDER AUTHORITY – I – My mother was dying, and she was not born again.  I asked the Lord to give her more time on this earth.

MAN UNDER AUTHORITY – II –My mother’s road to the Lord.

MAN UNDER AUTHORITY – III– What I spoke at my mother’s funeral service.

GLORIOUS RESURRECTION LIFE – Contains a poem my mother learned as a child, and recited to me for the first time when she was in her 80’s.

THINKING OF MY MOM ON MOTHER’S DAY

A couple of years ago I attended a funeral service. The preacher told the people that whatever their relationship was with the deceased person, that is what it would be forever. Whatever was said was said, and whatever was unsaid would forever remain unsaid. He poignantly went on to say “what is written, is written.” Truly memorable words. On March 12, 2007 my mother went to be with the Lord. The day before she died I stood by her bedside, hoping she could hear me, and said goodbye.  I told her that she was the best mother in the world and that one day we would see each other again.  I thought it might be the last time I would see her alive, and it was.  What is written is written, what was said was said, and by God’s grace I have no regrets.

When I was born again the Lord gave me a new heart and he gave me a new love for my parents. I am grateful that I was given that love before it was too late …

LOVE FROM ABOVE

Love your parents, love each one,

Love them for the good they’ve done,

Love them hard and love them long,

Love them still when they are wrong.

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Love them young when all is bright,

Love them old in dark of night,

Love them oh so joyfully,

Love them in humility.

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Love them with what matters most,

Love them in the Holy Ghost,

Love them truly from your heart,

Love them dear before you part.

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Love a gift from God above,

Love is lasting, only love.

When their time on earth is spent,

You’ll have treasure heaven sent.

Cathy White 2010 ©

1 Corinthians 13  13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.