I have a daily ritual of reading the Bible. Most days, I read with my Jim, but on Friday mornings, I read by myself. This is the day I write my weekly blog. Today I read several passages about the Hope I have in Christ and read one of  my favorite passages:

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am (John 14:1-3 NLT).

Reading that passage gave me comfort as I read, and brought me back to when I was with my mother the last time she was alive here on earth. She was in a group home with about eight other residents. I was sitting next to her along with the other residents, sitting in their recliners, watching TV.  “Let’s go into my room,” she said. So I helped her into her wheelchair and we moved into her room. So frail, my mother. Yet in the past such a capable, strong woman. She cooked and cleaned. An excellent seamstress. She gardened and canned produce. She studied her Bible and taught. She was an excellent teacher with adults and children. She was an artist. Everyone loved her. She had wisdom. But now, she depended on others to do for her. Today, it was me.

Our tradition had been I would visit and read her my stepson Greg’s sermon. He was a pastor and sent me his sermons each week. This week, his sermon was on the above passage.

I read the above passage and as I read, she would softly say, “Yes, that’s true.” I rarely talked to her about her dying. This time I asked her if she was looking forward to seeing her own mother, my dad, and other loved ones who’d put their trust in Jesus and were there in that “prepared place” Jesus talked about. She agreed it would be good.

As I read the sermon, I choked up with emotion a few times for I sensed this might be the last time I would be with her. I was right. Three days later, I received the call from her caregiver, “Your mom is not doing very well.” I asked some questions, and told him I’d be there soon. Twenty-five minutes later, I was there by her side. But she was gone. No longer here, but in the place that Jesus had prepared.

That Friday morning, she must have sensed she would not be here on earth for very long. She had some breakfast, but declined her medications that took so much time and energy to take. All dressed and in her chair, I am sure she was praying and reflecting on the many passages of scripture she knew by heart. Then, the angels surrounded her and might have said, “Come on Rose, it’s time.” And with that, she was gone. Gone to that prepared place with her Savior, Jesus.

I entered her room and there she was in her pink velvet chair. At peace. Eyes closed, head back. She exited that body so frail and was now in the arms of her Savior.

One day, because I’ve put my trust in Jesus, I’ll be with Jesus, too. I’ll get to see those people who’ve gone before me. And I’ll see my mama.

My ritual of reading and being encouraged by the Bible reminds me once again that He is preparing a place for us. We don’t have to be troubled. When everything is ready, he’ll come and get us so we can be with Him.

In the meantime, I suggest you establish a daily ritual of reading your Bible. Trust in Jesus. And, When everything is ready, I [Jesus]will come and get you. 

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Enjoy those verses in song.