April 18, 2014 Do You Have “Good Friday” Love In Your Heart?
Do You Have “Good Friday” Love In Your Heart?
Today, Good Friday April 18th, 2014 is a very rare & unique day to my heart. One filled with many varied emotions of great magnitude. There is one Easter season, I will never forget… you see I had a small part in “The Passion” for our church. There was a song that I was sing to Jesus as He was dying on the cross. The first time we rehearsed the play in full wardrobe and it came time for me to sing, I looked up and saw Christ on that cross. The person, who was acting the part of Christ, Gregory Mitchell, looked like every picture of Jesus that I had seen as a child. In that moment, was the first time my heart fully realized what Christ had done for me. He suffered, bled and died upon that cross for my sins, that I might spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Those of you, who were with my Aunt Joanne when she passed away, experienced seeing a rare gift as she went into the light of eternity to join Christ. Aunt Joanne’s doctor once commented to me, “That woman is so full of love.” You see, he experienced the Christ like love she shared with those she came in contact with. God blessed me beyond earthly measure by allowing me to be raised in a family with such love. There is much more to the story of this love that I would like to share part of today.
Last April 18th, 2013 was a magnanimous day for me. Chemo was behind me and I had received my last radiation treatment. As I slowly attempted to pack up my hospital room to be ready to go home I flashed back to September 2012. It was after my operation for my breast cancer. My husband sat in our bedroom in Campobello with me. We talked about the hard things that need to be said, when you are facing a disease such as cancer… lots of tears were shed. Besides the unconditional love of my husband that day, I hung onto some of his words. He told me that next spring would come, maybe not fast as he or especially I would like, yet before we knew it, we would be able to look at each other and say that all my treatments were done and the weather would be getting nice outside again so we could go for a walk.
Cooke’s Aquaculture allowed him to leave work that day, so he could come to the hospital to pick me up and I could step into a new type of freedom. It was almost surreal... it was a big moment and there were times that I had wondered if it would ever come and if it did what it would feel like. What I can tell you is that I walked out of that hospital a completely different person than when I had first stepped in. Somewhere I had lost many months of my life. In that instant when I walked out of the hospital door, it was like been fast forwarded to the future. When I looked in the mirror I did not look like myself anymore. Physically… burnt, blistered and split open, numb hands & feet, loss of hearing, loss of memory etc. & mentally I had changed forever. No, I would not have chosen any of it, but I would not trade what it has taught me and how much closer & stronger it has made my relationship with Christ. Not once was I afraid & Christ never left me alone for one second.
The night before I was to gain my freedom from the hospital and treatments (April 17th, 2013) I received an email from my Dad, part of which I want to share with you. I cried when I reread this email today, for it was Good Friday and Dad's words were a “Good Friday” type of love… you know the unconditional love that is so willing to sacrifice to help others.
"Mom and I have another thought for you to consider. Mom and I have talked it over and if you would stay with us for whatever time you needed until Jamie got home, we could take care of you . You would have my room and bath with a shower with a seat in it, a T.V. with its own receiver to watch whatever, have your own computer and a phone to call whenever wherever . Mom could put the ointment on your burns for you three times a day, I could cook you whatever you wanted for food, it would be quiet here all day, you could enjoy the living room with the big T.V. , recliners and our company when you wanted it. We could wash whatever you needed for clothes and I could pick up anything you needed from Campobello or take you anywhere you wanted to go . I WOULD SLEEP AT THE LAKEHOUSE. We feel this would be a good solution until Jamie got home and would put our mind at ease knowing that you were getting the care you need and it is easy for us to do at home . JUST CONSIDER IT we will talk this evening and naturally do whatever you feel comfortable doing.
We Love You Very Very Much and ready to say ( 000 ) and have you back with us .
Hugs Kisses And Prayers"
When, I received this email I thought it was such a generous off, but part of me just wanted to go home… it had been such a long journey. I had spend over 11 weeks in the hospital to get this far and home would feel so nice. The Lord knew I wasn’t ready to be home alone during the days quite yet. He allowed me to feel so intensely sick that night that when my Mom & Dad called me at the hospital, I told them I knew I needed to come and stay with them. When you are really sick, there is no place like home and Mom & Dad’s was the home I really needed. I spend nine days with them. They worked so hard and took such good care of me. I will never forget that as long as I live. That’s the “Good Friday” unconditional love of Christ. Do you have that “Good Friday” love in your heart? Take time to share it with whom God lays upon your heart. Dare to leave Christ’s footprints on someone else’s life. My Dad passed away on Feb. 16, 2014. Miss you everyday Dad and feel so blessed to still have you, Mom. God is good.
Happy Easter to one and all. Stop to reflect on all the times someone has given their unconditional Christ-like love to you... count your blessings and pass it on.
My love, ((((HUGS)))) and prayers,
Paulette
