The "J" Story

This year, since March, three of my friends have passed away…Judi, Jennifer, and Jessica. These three ladies had many things in common…all were young (30’s and 40’s), all wives, mothers of young children, loved God with all their heart, and left this earth way before we were ready to let them go.

As a mother, I can say with reasonable certainty that their children’s future was probably the most pressing thing on their mind at the end. I remember spending a few moments with Judi who knew her hours were numbered. I remember thinking what a huge task to try to think of everything you want them to know in the little time you have left. As I held her hand and whispered to her “we will be there for them,” I could tell that was what consumed her right then. She wasn't fearful for herself...she knew where she was going, but she was sorrowful for her baby. She wanted to know he was going to be okay. She knew he needed her.

Tonight at the funeral home, I was talking with Sandy about a conversation she had with Jessica in which Jessica outlined some very specific things she wanted for her girls. Among them was that she wanted to make sure they didn’t wear winter clothes in the summer and vice versa, and that their hair looked nice. She wanted to make sure they always had birthday celebrations. She also wanted to make sure they didn’t wear pants with a word on the back like “Hot” or “Juicy.” Good call Jessica. Above all, she said she wanted her girls to be Godly.

We all want to know our children are going to be okay without us. I’ve thought a lot about that lately…what I would want them to know if I’m not here. It’s not that I don't know that God is able and He would walk every step with them and meet every need they have. And it's not because I don’t think that their father is capable because I know he is a great dad and would totally be able to care for them and love them...and they would grow up to be fine, healthy men.

But because they need Me. They need their mommy to kiss their boo-boos, and hold their hand when they cross the street. They need someone to ask "does this match?" and someone to tell them to put on their coat. They need someone they can cry with when their pet runs away or dies and they just can’t be strong. They need me to help them finish their school project and take pictures of them with it when it's complete. They need someone to talk about girls with...and someone to tell when they fall in love for the first time. They need someone who will cry with them when they have their first broken heart. They need Me.

We can't help it...it's put in us at the precise moment of conception, or adoption in Judi’s case,...that protectiveness of a mother. We begin to think like a mother...we become warriors in a way...willing to fight and provide for our babies. Their needs outweigh ours....their wants supersede ours. They need us.

I think if Judi, Jennifer & Jessica were here tonight, they would tell their kids this:

*God is still on the throne and is in control of Everything. Your sustenance will come from Him.

*There will never be another Me, but there will be others who can meet your needs. Let them.

*It’s okay to cry when you hurt.

*When you have a bad day, hold on. Things will look better tomorrow.

*Jesus can bear your load.

*Don’t sweat the small stuff.

*Kisses and chocolate can cure lots of things.

*It’s okay to run in church.

*Trust

*Forgive

*Live like there’s no tomorrow. Love extravagantly. Lead a life to be followed.

*Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

The mother in me is grieving for these precious children. Would you join me in praying specifically for Jared, Jonathan, Katelyn, Jadyn and Bryn? Would you also please stand in the gap for their fathers, Jay, Scott and Jake, …for the strength to endure the tremendous job ahead of them?