In Loving Memory
My Mother Rosemary exchanged this life for a far better life on November 5th 2009. Of course, our family has a great big gaping wound since we love and miss her so much, and because death is not normal. At the same time, we are realizing that the faith we have produces real, tangible results that are both emotional and physical. She had a liver disease for about 20 years, and really began to fail in the last 7. We watched her deteriorate and suffer so much sickness in a number of different ways because of Primary Billiary Scirocis (PBC). The confidence of Heaven, the assurance that we have, genuinely produces happiness and relief knowing that she no longer suffers from that disease. Once she left, the suffering ceased, and we realized that we stopped worrying about her. The burden lifted, and this actually produced laughter and praise to Jesus! These are the tangible, physical results of the faithfulness of Christ. My mother inspired countless people both women and men in a number of ways. She raised the bar for excellence in ministry and gave and gave and gave. I tried to come up with a verse or two that exemplified my mothers life. This one really stands out:
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be shamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death”
Philippians 1.20
We all watched my mother glorify her Lord in her life, especially when she was ill these last 20 years, since she never complained. We all watched her glorify Jesus in her death. May all of us, follow that example.
Maranatha!
Paul & I read this together and both agreed that Rosemary was such an example to us of giving. One of my first interactions ever with her involved her giving me a sofa & a table! I barely knew her and remember thinking, wow, this lady really isn’t attached to things. Little did I know….
She gave away more than material stuff, however. She was very good at giving a place of belonging to the one who was new or “on the fringe.” She drew in many many people to her home and to the shelter of her comfort. When my husband was a new believer, she was there as he came out of the baptismal waters to make him feel welcomed into the family of God with such an engaging and radiant smile and joy in her voice. It didn’t matter that he was a big wet dripping hulk; she gave him a hug and warmed my heart in so doing.
As her body became weaker, I saw a woman who became bolder in her love of Jesus. And she gave herself away beyond her physical capacity, sustained and upheld by the Lord’s righteous right hand. I marveled at her stamina, when in reality she shouldn’t have had those reserves. I thank Jesus for her example and for her voice which still sounds in my head. “Do it for Jesus!”
As a wife and a woman I was so blessed by her example, her teaching and her life. I can hardly wait to see her again. I can just imagine that she will be giving away whatever she has to give even then.
Amen.