Isa's Eulogy - Part Two

Isa's Eulogy - Part Two

Greetings,

For those of you just joining us, Isa was my mother-in-law of almost 31 years.  She passed away after a brief 17-day battle with cancer a week ago yesterday.  I had the high high honor and privilege of speaking at her Memorial Service. 

For two days I prepared, and every time I sat down to write, my eyes would get so clouded from crying that I couldn't see the computer screen in front of me.  I cried for my father-in-law, my husband, his brother, the grandchildren, and myself. I did not know how I would ever stand in front of over 300 people and deliver the eulogy Isa was so deserving of.

And then I wrote the following words...

"We all also appreciate all the prayer warriors out there who lifted us up continually during this trial.  Such an overwhelming number of you.  God bless you!"

This tiny paragraph made all the difference.  I lost count of how many people texted, emailed, or called to say they were praying for our family.  We literally felt like we were being hugged by angels' wings, and it was because others cared enough to go to God on our behalf. 

When it was time for me to speak the day of the service, I took one final swipe at my tears with a tissue, I went out on the stage, and I held it together, for the glory of God.  It was so important for me to make sure we all celebrated Isa's life, and we did.

When we pray for someone else, God moves and strengthens, God brings peace, guidance, and hope. 

Ephesians 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God's people" (The Amplified Bible).

This verse is letting us know that prayer is a way of life. Prayer is a priority - not a last resort. We are called to be specific and we are called to be persistent; others are depending on us!  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It is wonderful to know that our prayers are heard and that they make a difference. We are so thankful for anyone who has ever prayed for us. And we are also blessed in knowing that our prayers for others are powerful! In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Isa's Eulogy - Part One

Hebrews 12: 2 "Run with endurance the race God has set before you by keeping your eyes on Jesus, the Champion Who perfects our faith, Who endured the cross because of the joy awaiting Him."

Isa's Eulogy - Part One

On July 19, 2017 my mother-in-law, Elisabel Fernandez, died after a 17-day battle with lymphoma.  I immediately knew I would speak at her Memorial Service, and for the next few DEVOs I will be sharing the words God put on my heart.  (What follows is the unedited version).

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The Fernandez family is experiencing shock right now due to the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved Isa.  She went into the hospital July 2, 2017, and we all thought it would be to get better, not to prepare to go to heaven. 

The official diagnosis was B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  Nevertheless, her oncologist was optimistic:  Remission possible with aggressive treatment, and Isa agreed to a port, which is a surgically inserted device that allows for optimal delivery of drugs.  Her cardiologist said her heart wasn't strong enough for "the poison," and he set up a series of drugs to help stabilize blood pressure and rhythm.   Her nephrologist said her kidneys needed help for the chemo to do its job, and that he would do a stent procedure if Isa wanted it, which she did.  The internist said a picc-line, which is a catheter inserted directly into the veins, would be necessary for her to get the proper nutrition. And so began a flurry of activity to get her better. Isa was on-board and ready to fight.  

Within a few days, however, it seemed like the doctors could not reach a consensus on what the priority should be. Some felt the chemo would be too brutal and take her life before the cancer would. Others felt that it was worth a shot. And so began a roller coaster ride of different doctors with different opinions and all the while my mother-in-law, the heart and soul of our very close family,  was deteriorating.

It didn't take long for me to start questioning. Sometimes over the course of just one day I would be so sure she would be here five years down the line only to lose hope and start preparing myself for her departure into glory.

At one point I asked my Lord to forgive me for having so many doubts and so many questions. As a family our mantra quickly became: We believe, help our unbelief.  I, along with everyone in the family, struggled  to keep the faith. 

And then Jesus whispered to my heart:

Yenisita (That's what He calls me): "Have you ever doubted that the eternity you are hoping for won't happen?"

"No, my Lord."

"Do you have assurance in your soul that even though you can't see it yet that heaven  is real? That I am real? That the place I have prepared for your mother is real?"

"Yes, my Lord, I do - we all do.  We have never doubted it."

So with that said, it humbles me to say the  Fernandez Family has the strongest faith I have ever  seen. 

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I'll leave it there for today because it's worth thinking about.  No matter what doubts we have, or how many questions circle around in our heads, we must be absolutely certain that no matter the outcome on this earth, our final destination is with Jesus.  If we can have that assurance in our heart, then we can look beyond this present suffering to the ultimate glory that awaits.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Our faith falters at times, but not when it comes to the most important truth in our lives: Our ultimate and glorious destination is with You.  Fill us with joy and peace as we meditate on this reality.  In fact, the only way we can even live is by keeping our eyes on Jesus and the glorious future we have with Him. If He can endure the cross because of the joy that would be His, then we know He will help us carry our crosses too. Amen~

I Don't Know "K"

Greetings,

All week long my husband and I have each been wearing a bracelet with name of a young lady we don't know.  We put them on after church on Sunday when the pastor encouraged everyone to drop by the breezeway and reach into the bowl filled with bracelets with the names of all the middle schoolers attending church camp this week.  The assignment was to ask God to bless, encourage,  minister, protect,  and guide the name of the person chosen.  

Consequently, Jorge and I find that "K" and "M" have been on our minds non-stop.  We wonder if they are happy, in a safe home, doing well in school, winning the battles of temptations, following Christ with joy and trust, having fun at camp, and it's amazing how close you can feel, even to a complete stranger, when you pray for them!

Here is a little bit of what we have been asking; I invite you to pray this over the children you love in your life:

Dear Lord,

We thank You for the children in our lives. They are a source of joy and sometimes a source of worry.  This is why we pray they would have a desire to follow You and that they would find comfort in Your presence.  We ask that our children's peace would be great and their health always strong and perfect. We trust that You will rescue our children when needed. Impress upon each of them the importance of honoring us because it's the first commandment with a promise of a long life when they do.  May our children be courageous and always do the right thing. Create in them a clean and pure heart and pour out Your righteousness over each one until their souls are flooded with wisdom and light.  Finally, Lord, as it says in Your Word in Philippians 4:8, may our children think only on the things that are the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; the praise worthy and the pure!  Implant these truths in their hearts, and thank You that You are at work in their lives to bring about blessings!  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

No Appointment Necessary

"Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving" Colossians 4:2 (The Amplified Bible).

Greetings,

I am the kind of person who wants what she wants when she wants it. And in my opinion, one of the best inventions ever is being able to record TV shows (I am currently revisiting my childhood and watching all Little House on the Prairie episodes),  which allows me to fast forward through all those annoying commercials! And what about those pesky little green tickets from the shiny red dispensers at the deli counter? It seems as though I am always behind those folks who shop in bulk and need 20 items.

Before you judge me, ask yourself, "Do I like waiting?"

I certainly don't, and my biggest frustrations are usually at the doctor's office.  I once drop-kicked a certain MD goodbye after he made me wait almost a month to see him, and then over four hours in the waiting room while I read and re-read old articles from a dated Woman's World magazine.  All that sitting around for a less than five-minute consult where he advised me to take more Vitamin D.  I was so shocked at the brevity of the visit that I forgot all about the list of questions I had brought along.

This is why  faith in my Jesus  is wise and helpful.

No appointments necessary, no waiting, and I can take as much time as I need during my visit! I have 24/7 access to a compassionate, caring, powerful God Who invites me to be persistent and devoted, alert and focused.  

AMEN!

PRAYER: We come to You today with thanksgiving for Who You are and what You so willingly give to us.  We need You so much; we are grateful You do not make us take a ticket, or wait in line to see You. We are free to plead, pray, intercede, unload all our concerns and worries, and refresh our souls in Your calming presence whenever we want.   Persistence, devotion, alertness, and focus have a great reward because You are a prayer-answering Lord Who blesses His children. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

When it Pours...

"When the storms of life come the godly have a lasting foundation, the righteous stand firm forever" (Proverbs 10:25).

Greetings,

A few days ago Jorge and I saw something in our yard we had never seen before.  Our backyard cactus, Little Willy, content to always be dry and prickly, has been rained on so much during the non-stop storms of South Florida, that he blossomed!  And now, dear friends, I am pausing to cry...

The Fernandez family is tightly knit and huddled together in fervent prayer as we wait for a diagnosis for my mother-in-law.  We don't have all the details yet, so I will not even speculate.  What I will do is look at Little Willy and remind myself that when it pours down on my life, a sweeter, lovelier, more fragrant renewal awaits.

PRAYER: Dear Lord,  So many storms around, and yet You are the anchor of our lives Who holds us steady.  We keep our eyes on You knowing  You are producing something beautiful beyond our wildest dreams.  Help us keep the faith.  You are our immovable Rock, and we stand firm because You have made us worthy to receive blessings. THANK YOU! We love You and trust You. In Jesus' healing name, Amen.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Greetings,

Happy Fourth of July! Today we celebrate this great nation's hard-fought and hard-won independence from the rule of tyranny.  Let Freedom Ring! was and is our heart's cry, and because it's my birthday today as well  - Happy 52nd Birthday to me - I also want to celebrate the freedom Christ has given me. I am free from fear, hopelessness, and death.  I am free from oppression, deceit, and despair.  I am free to receive and apply His truth and blessings in my life.  One of the most powerful and greatest truths is that prayer changes things because it invites God's presence into our circumstances. Join me in praying Psalm 139. 

Dear Lord,

You know every single thing there is to know about me, and yet You love me.  You know when I sit down and when I stand up - something I don't even keep track of - and You and only You completely understand me.  I am never out of Your sight, and You know everything I am going to say before I start the first sentence.  Your reassuring presence is always with me, and this is too wonderful!  There is no place I can go to avoid Your Spirit. Whether I am up or down You are there.  Even if I flew to the far western horizon, You would already be there waiting.  You shaped me in my mother's womb, and I thank You.  You are breathtaking, and I am marvelously made.  All the stages of my life are spread out before You.  Help me to enjoy and appreciate each one, and I praise You for Your beautiful thoughts about me.  They are innumerable, and for this I worship You.  Replace my anxious thoughts with Your precious ones.  You are kind, and powerful, and I am assured that You will cause everything in my life to work out for my good.  I am chosen, I am dearly loved, and I am forgiven.  I am victorious, I am safe, and I belong to You. My mind and my heart are protected with Your peace. I am healed, and I am confident in  Your ability to lead me along the way of everlasting life.  Your promises of a full life and an eternal life sustain me. In Jesus' name, Amen.