"In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are what I cynically refer to as “Hallmark holidays". While it sometimes felt like a command performance to send flowers or fruit, or to visit my parents, I believe that every day is a day to honor our parents by telling and showing them our gratitude. The Bible even commands us to honor our father and mother (Exodus 20:12). It’s not optional!
This most recent of Mother’s Days was unexpectedly difficult. Being the first Mother’s Day since my mom passed away in November, this occasion was a reminder to me that she was no longer here. Advertisements imploring me to buy that special gift for my mother only served to rub the proverbial salt into the gaping wound.
I know I’m not alone. I have several friends who have lost their moms over the last few months. This moment which was supposed to be a time of celebration for them was more difficult than they expected, too.
As the advertisements get geared up for Father’s Day, again for me, I’m not looking forward to this particular occasion either. Although it’s been over five years since my dad passed away, Father’s Day is not an opportunity for me to celebrate. As the years since his death come and go, I am beginning to turn my “mourning into dancing” as I know my dad is in heaven. I can be thankful for his life. In the future, I know I’ll get to the same place with Mom and Mother’s Day. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, as the saying goes, but time can often take the edge off the pain.
Although I’m all grown-up with children of my own, having lost both parents, I often feel like an orphan with no home to go to anymore, no parental advice to call upon when needed, and no feelings of a “safety net”. It’s just me. Except I’m the one providing a home base for my now-grown children who still look to Mom for advice in navigating their world. I’m their safety net.
It’s a bit scary to be “orphaned”. Not only are there feelings of abandonment, but there’s this “in-your-face” idea of your own mortality. Thankfully, I have a deeper sense of home. In John 14:2, Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” My home isn’t here on this earth. It’s an eternal home in heaven with Jesus. And when I arrive in heaven, both my parents and my brother Logan will be waiting to welcome me home.
Lord, I know I’m just passing through life here on earth on my way to my eternal home with You. Until You take me home, may I bring glory to You as I love and honor those in my life with the grace that comes from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of sunrise over Haleakalā Crater, Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawaii.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are what I cynically refer to as “Hallmark holidays". While it sometimes felt like a command performance to send flowers or fruit, or to visit my parents, I believe that every day is a day to honor our parents by telling and showing them our gratitude. The Bible even commands us to honor our father and mother (Exodus 20:12). It’s not optional!
This most recent of Mother’s Days was unexpectedly difficult. Being the first Mother’s Day since my mom passed away in November, this occasion was a reminder to me that she was no longer here. Advertisements imploring me to buy that special gift for my mother only served to rub the proverbial salt into the gaping wound.
I know I’m not alone. I have several friends who have lost their moms over the last few months. This moment which was supposed to be a time of celebration for them was more difficult than they expected, too.
As the advertisements get geared up for Father’s Day, again for me, I’m not looking forward to this particular occasion either. Although it’s been over five years since my dad passed away, Father’s Day is not an opportunity for me to celebrate. As the years since his death come and go, I am beginning to turn my “mourning into dancing” as I know my dad is in heaven. I can be thankful for his life. In the future, I know I’ll get to the same place with Mom and Mother’s Day. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, as the saying goes, but time can often take the edge off the pain.
Although I’m all grown-up with children of my own, having lost both parents, I often feel like an orphan with no home to go to anymore, no parental advice to call upon when needed, and no feelings of a “safety net”. It’s just me. Except I’m the one providing a home base for my now-grown children who still look to Mom for advice in navigating their world. I’m their safety net.
It’s a bit scary to be “orphaned”. Not only are there feelings of abandonment, but there’s this “in-your-face” idea of your own mortality. Thankfully, I have a deeper sense of home. In John 14:2, Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” My home isn’t here on this earth. It’s an eternal home in heaven with Jesus. And when I arrive in heaven, both my parents and my brother Logan will be waiting to welcome me home.
Lord, I know I’m just passing through life here on earth on my way to my eternal home with You. Until You take me home, may I bring glory to You as I love and honor those in my life with the grace that comes from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of sunrise over Haleakalā Crater, Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawaii.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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