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-->My Mothers Last Words to Me
As a pastor I’ve heard the “last words” of many, but my own mothers last words to me are treasured. The week between the death of Princess Dianna of Wales (August 31, 1997), and the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (September 5, 1997) my mother died of cancer. While my sister Sonja and I witnessed the exact “moment” she left this world, my mothers last words to me came in a hand-written letter 11 months earlier. Oddly at that time ,she didn’t even know she had cancer and she expected to live a long life. When she handed me the letter she said, “Bill, I hope you never have to read this. But take this in case you ever need it”. She said she felt strongly impressed to write it in the event of her death in the far future, in case I needed the information inside. She said she’d prayed over this for several weeks feeling God divinely directed her to write this for me. She said, oneday I may need real answers about our home, my childhood, things I suspected and couldn’t understand, and other matters. I took her letter, put it away, and never suspected she’d be dead within a year. Today I know she really was divinely directed. 10 years passed before I opened that letter. One day in 2007, I was in a place in my life with serious questions. I sat quietly in my study, opened her letter and noticed it was 13 hand-written pages. I carefully read each word. Like peeling layers of an onion, each page brought both tears and relief. For the first time in my life, things made perfect sense. I gained understanding and found freedom I didn’t know existed. I never acknowledged before that day how deep I’d buried hurts and things affecting my early life. I’ve always picked up, moved on, and mastered the art of leaving the past in the past. My strength is to “never look back”. It’s a survival instinct. I won’t reveal the contents of her letter because its personal, but I will tell you that if her intent was to set me free, it worked. Today I see people in need of the healing that a parent could provide and I only wish for them a “letter” like I recieved. It was the greatest gift she ever gave me. So here’s my advice. If you have a chance to pass on a blessing to someone you love, a healing to bring, an understanding that opens up their life for a better future, do it. Write it out and put it in their hands. Its worth the time it takes to do this. Especially for them.
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December 25, 2009
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Thank you for sharing that with us. As the son of a mother that was married twice before I was two grew up in a very complicated family environment. I could certainly see the benefit of knowing perspective of the adult that navigated through these impressionable years. Although I have tried to forgive certain family members there are always those unanswered questions that inhibit the forgiveness process to run to completion resulting in needed healing. As a parent I have worked very hard to simplify my daughters life. However, as hard as you try you can not shape a child’s thoughts and percections that lead to deep seeded pain. This is great advice
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December 26, 2009
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Bill, My mother was unable to write or speak last words. However, she inscribed a Bible and gifted me on my seventh year of life. It read, “The entrace of Thy word giveth light.” She taught me my first song, “Jesus Loves Me.” I am now approaching 80 and have just completed a DVD to be played at my funeral. It is my testament to my faith and to God’s mercy and grace. I will leave on a note of faith and joy. I hope my testimony will be a blessing to any who hear it even after I have breathed my last. Love you, Brother. God bless you, your family, and your ministry. You have blessed me many times even though I have never met you except via TV and your messages.
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September 12, 2010
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I read this message regard the letter from your Mother. It struck a cord in me. I know both my children are holding on to things in their childhood that hurt them and they still seek for relief. I feel I can provide them that relief if I let them know I feel their pain and have always known their hurt. I will make sure I give them that relief. Thank you for opening my eyes to this. I love them both so very much and one thing I never wanted for them was to have heartaches. God B;ess You.