But now that yesterday is over, I get it. Some things you gotta learn by experience.
Somehow, a whole heck of a lot of my friends anticipated the difficulty of Mom's death anniversary on my behalf and showered me--truly showered me--with love.
A friend wrote on my Facebook wall yesterday morning: "I am specifically praying that you feel His sweet embrace all day today in a tangible way. That He would show you His extravagant love like you have never known." The Lord heard and answered her prayer all day.
I got cards and text messages and emails and Facebook posts like it was my birthday (far cry from it, but still).
I have to write about one particular gift I received because it symbolizes (along with everything else) the extravagant love my friend Abby prayed I'd experience. And it's unique (something I want to remember to do for someone else!), and it's shareable in this venue. But let me say: Every single word of encouragement I received regarding the significance of yesterday meant the world to me. Not one word or thought or gift or text was more cherished than another!
I want to remember these expressions of love for years to come.
The Lord is so faithful through His people.
So, mid-last week, I got a package from my friend Becca in the mail, and in marker on the front it said: Do not open until Dec. 20.
Then, the morning of the 20th, I got an email, with instructions for how to open the package. My dear friend had anticipated what a difficult day December 21st would be and so she sent me "24 items/ readings/listenings to help keep my spirits up at least the first minute of each hour."
I posted her whole email (with permission) at the bottom of this post. Here's a sampling of some of what she sent. The captions are from her email.
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| 6am- Tea and Tissues |
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| 9 am- flowers- one for you and one for you to take to the church for me. - I have no idea what these will look like [when you get them]. |
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| 10 am - more tea and you can open the M&Ms now and begin to eat them throughout the day (or all in one sitting, I will not judge) |
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| 3pm- happy ornament from Georgie |
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| 4pm- Food and Wine Mag |
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| 5pm- Psalm 104: 15 "wine that gladdens the heart of woman, oil to maker her face shine, and bread that sustains her heart" - wine glass (plastic so you can take it in the tub) |
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| 8pm- leg warmers-because everyone needs leg warmers |
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| 10pm- funny decoration for Will to laugh at- probably broken because George couldn't stop bending the hat all around. |
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Dec 22nd: 12am- A New Year - calendar of beaches.
be calmed and soothed by our favorite place
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| 2am- Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests. " and mint tea- just in case you cant sleep. |
And that's not even everything. (I don't have pictures of the truly best parts: the Scripture verses and links to worship songs she sent in her email.)
Here's a pic of all the gifts:
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I. Feel. Loved. And that's what you need one year to the day after your mama goes to Heaven. Thank you to every single one of my friends.
I have one more thing along these same lines to share tomorrow (or soon), and if you're on Facebook, you've already seen it. But the message Mom sent to Dad yesterday (yes, you read that right) must be recorded so that generations to come will know about it. Let me just say: God is extravagantly good.
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Here's Becca's whole email. If her awesomeness makes you want to read more about her (and I can't imagine it doesn't), here's her blog: http://southpasadventures.blogspot.com/
12/20:
Start by C/V this link and listen to this song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPI_DIqICP0
Find the card in the box and open it.
Now read your card, followed by your poem while you listen:
Clear
Its been a year
You've shed many a tear
but have no fear
for to many, you are dear.
I wish I were near
to share a beer, wipe your tear, lend an ear.
All I can do is pray, and try to steer
your thoughts in a brighter direction-
even cheer.
No one will ever love you the way she did and I will not begin to try, but I will do the best I know how and it starts here.
The next 24 hours might be the hardest in a while so I thought I would send you 24 items/ readings/listenings to help keep your spirits up at least the first minute of each hour.
Its ok if they don't work. But at least you know I care about, remember and respect the race you have run this year.
Keep your chin up my love.
Becca
Now you can open the box.
If you wake earlier or later than 6:00 just open 6:00 am first and then follow with the others. Of course, I will not care if you open them all at once or not at all on Saturday, its just my OCD kicking in here. Do what you want with it :) Some hours do not have gifts, just a verse or a song. Hopefully the links will work, but if not you'll have to C/V.
12/21
6am- Tea and Tissues
7am - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPI_DIqICP0 - "10,000 Reasons"
8am- Romans 5:2 "…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God" vs 5 "…and he does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us"
9am- flowers- one for you and one for you to take to the church for me. - I have no idea what these will look like. When I put them in the jar they looked like this:
but I don't know what a week in a box with moisture will do to them. Just throw it out if they are black.
10am - more tea and you can open the M&Ms now and begin to eat them throughout the day (or all in one sitting, I will not judge)
11am- 1 Cron 16:11 "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always."
12pm- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrPQ-isJnd8 - Hurt and the Healer
1pm- nail polish/ file
2pm- hot chocolate and Psalm 119:76 "May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant"
3pm- happy ornament from Georgie
4pm- Food and Wine Mag
5pm- Psalm 104: 15 "wine that gladdens the heart of woman, oil to maker her face shine, and bread that sustains her heart" - wine glass (plastic so you can take it in the tub)
6pm- Psalm 23 "…he restores my soul….I will fear no _____ (fill in the blank)….your rod and your staff they comfort me…..my cup overflows….goodness and love will follow me….I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD- forever"
7pm- brownie mix
8pm- leg warmers-because everyone needs leg warmers
9pm- Rest Tea and bath gel for a bubble bath
10pm- funny decoration for Will to laugh at- probably broken because George couldn't stop bending the hat all around.
11pm-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18lZDVZ1QuE - "What a Story"
Dec 22nd
12am- A New Year - calendar of beaches. be calmed and soothed by our favorite place-
1am- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtL_li4GbE - "in Christ Alone"
2am- Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth PEACE to men on whom his favor rests. " and mint tea- just in case you cant sleep.
3am- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zulKcYItKIA "Worn" 10th Avenue North
4am- Ephesians 2:14 " For He himself is our PEACE…."
5am- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht9j1RU9Tqg- Fires Matt Redmon
Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE."
******Isaiah 61:2-3*******
"to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor………… to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them:
a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor"
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