A Tribute to My Mother
“Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.” (Prov. 23:25)
My mother passed away on June 19, 2014. She was 99 years old and just 3 weeks short of her 100th birthday. She was a Godly woman and a great influence to her children, my brother and myself, and to the many people she met in her lifetime. Her mother had heard the British Israel message spoken by Rev. Springett on the radio in Winnipeg, Manitoba many years ago. My mother then started listening to his messages as well and believed what he was saying. My brother and I were greatly influenced by this message that she would explain to us when we were growing up. Although we went our own ways and lived our lives we always carried this message with us. Mum would give us a book or a magazine every so often and we would read and study them. I went with Mum to some of the talks given by Mr. Sproule in Vancouver, B.C. in the mid 1960’s. There were many people at those meetings back then and although I did not always understand everything that was said they helped lay a foundation of the message in me that I never forgot. This happened with my brother as well and we are both firm believers in the Israel message today because of her influence. She was convinced that she would see the return of the Lord in her life time but unfortunately that was not to be the case. I think that was one of the reasons she lived to such a good age. She was trying to hang on until He returned. It appears now that she may only be in the grave for a short time as world events are quickly escalating to a dangerous level.
From Bess
When I departed I tell you friends all the signs were there It won’t be long fore Christ returns to place us in His care My gift to you this glorious day is a parting prayer I send Keep waiting at your station, keep looking for our friend
(Final stanza of Waiting at the Station)
As the above verse in Proverbs says a mother’s love is very special. It is unconditional and when we lose our mother we feel we have lost the heart of the family. David speaks of bowing down heavily at the loss of a mother in Psalm 35:14 “…I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.” In Proverbs 15:20 we read “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.” Anyone that despises their mother is foolish. Unfortunately so many young people today disrespect their parents and older people in general. The Bible says these young people are foolish. We can learn much from our parents and the older generation. I mourn the loss of the older generation as they still had values and gave security and stability to our nations. They had been through a lot in their life time, two world wars, the depression and many changes in their countries. They were the heart of such countries as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. They were a tough generation and one to be admired. My mother was the last of my father’s and her group of brothers, sisters, and in-laws. That generation for me is gone. We are now the next generation.
At the death of my mother a friend of mine sent a lovely card and in it she included a poem about mothers that I thought I would include. It is for all of us who have and will lose their mothers. I don’t know where it came from but it is called Mothers Never Die.
You have never lost your mother,
Though you’ve said your last goodbyes,
Though there’s heartbreak in the parting,
No one’s mother really dies.
If you love to hear the old songs for memories they bring,
It’s because you had a mother who had taught your heart to sing.
If you stop to help a neighbor,
Search your heart and you will find,
It’s because you had a mother who’s taught you to be kind.
If you go to church when weary,
Seeking God to guide your way,
It’s because you had a mother who’s taught you how to pray.
No, you’ve never lost your mother,
Though you’ve said your last goodbyes,
Because always remember
No one’s mother really dies.
In closing I would like to include some lines from the prayer that Brooks Alden gave at my mother’s graveside service. He prayed, “Well, here we are Lord, gathered here to honour you and to thank you for placing your comforting hand on a great lady, a great mother and a great friend. I know that you too must have looked upon her with admiration as she did her very best to walk with you. As the Apostle Paul said, “She fought the good fight, she finished her course and she kept the faith.” Lord, she so looked forward to the crown of righteousness you will bestow upon her at your appearing. Thank you, Lord.”
