Just One More Day

One of the hardest things in life to have is regret. It’s a sad time when we stand at someone’s funeral and wish that we would have spent more time with them, that we would have spoken the words; I love you to them more often. At that point, it is too late.

In my own experience, I have found that when we don’t love ourselves and we don’t know the capacity to which the Father loves us, it is difficult to offer that to someone else. My mom has been gone for a long time now, but I loved her to the best of my ability when she was here on the earth. Please notice that I said, to the best of my ability. During the years that she has been gone, I have learned to love and understand at a whole new level. I have learned more about my Father and the love that He has for me. I have learned more about myself and have learned to walk in forgiveness. And I have learned about the pain that she experienced in her lifetime which now explains so much about her.
If only I could have one more day here with her. For the most part, I would spend that day making sure that she knew how much she was loved and appreciated by me. I would thank her for every hour that she labored in bringing me into this world. I would thank her for choosing life in the midst of difficult circumstances. I would thank her for every day that she worked hard physical labor to keep a roof over my head, food in my belly and clothes on my back. Most of all, I would thank her for taking me to church as a child and letting me hear about Jesus and all that He did for me. You see, that’s when I first met Him, but not until much later in life did I truly come to know Him. My heart longs to share with her all that I have learned. My desire for that day would be for me to truly express to her the Father’s Love.

No, she did not do everything right when raising us, but show me a parent that has. My children are grown now and I know that I certainly didn’t do everything right while raising them. I know that they won’t do everything right as they raise their children. The wonderful thing is that from generation to generation, we are learning to do things better. We are learning to forgive and release, to encourage and teach how it can be better the next time around. I am excited about that! In my mom’s generation everything went unsaid for the most part. We know that everyone sins and everyone makes mistakes, but it was all kept secret, hidden and covered up. The shame that they must have carried through life is so sad. It didn’t have to be that way. We don’t have to live in shame over the mistakes that we have made. The Bible tells us that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There is a remedy for every wrong, every mistake and that remedy is Jesus!

Because of my mom’s faith in Jesus, I know where she resides. Because of mine, I will join her in Heaven when the time comes. I believe that we will have that “one day”, but our conversation will not be about the things that she did wrong or the mistakes that she made. Instead, I believe that it will be filled with gratitude, thanksgiving and love for all that she is and who the Father created her to be. She is a daughter of the King and I am proud to have called her mom. I will tell her then, but I sure wish that I would have told her more often during our days here as we lived life together.

In just a few weeks, many will celebrate Mother’s Day. That will look different depending on each situation. In previous years, my family would make a trek to the cemetery to visit my mom’s grave. We would place some flowers there and let the kids release balloons. In some ways by doing that, it was a healing time for us. If you find yourself in this situation and it is new for you, I would encourage you to do this. I would also encourage you to celebrate your loved one by remembering her life and the love that she had for you.

As a family, we no longer go there on Mother’s Day. Because she was a believer in Jesus, my mom is not in that grave. After a while, I made the decision to celebrate life on that day. I prefer to be surrounded by my children and their families, to hear the sounds of their laughter and love and to feel the embrace of their hugs. As a family, we now celebrate our relationships and the love that we share. I am a firm believer in celebrating one another while we are alive to do so. I am one that would rather send and receive flowers while I am able to look at their beauty, smell their sweet fragrance and also know the joy felt by the one receiving them and the one sending them.

Whatever your situation might be, I encourage each of you to make the relationships in your life count. I don’t want anyone to miss out on giving and receiving love. I don’t want anyone else to know regret and have to wish for “one more day” whether it be with a parent, sibling, spouse or a friend. Please use the time that you have been given to celebrate those that you love and that love you. Time is a precious commodity and once it has passed, it’s gone. I have often heard the phrase “Life is not a dress rehearsal”. That is so true. Take it from one who knows.

" Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."
James 4:14 NASB

Comments

[mslaurajuntti@hotmail.com]

Beautiful~ Happy mums day to you~ :)

[Melinda Holmes]

Hi Laura,

Thank you so much for reading my post. The Lord placed it on my heart early this morning. I will have a wonderful mums day next month, thanks. I have two children and one stepdaughter and they love their parents:) God is so good!

I wanted to tell you that I read your testimony last week and I am amazed at what God has brought you out of. I thank Him for your life, your heart for Him and all that He is giving you to do. You are so beautiful and He loves you! I am thankful that we are new friends!

Love,
Melinda