Abuelo Rigo

Greetings,

Yesterday my husband's grandfather, Abuelo Rigo, passed away; he was 96-years-old. It was sudden; it was sacred.  He stopped eating Tuesday after having a robust appetite all day Monday and every day before then.  Wednesday morning he woke up, and his breathing was slowing down.  One of his grandchildren, David, read to him the 23rd Psalm, and 10 minutes later he exhaled for the last time and saw our Lord. He had been bedridden for seven years, and my mother-in-law devoted herself to his care at her home in a dedicated room set up just for him.  What love and sacrifice.  He went to glory with the prettiest, healthiest skin you have ever seen and smelling like cologne!

I will forever remember him for his great love of dogs.  He had three little yappy Chihuahuas that loved him so much.  He always gave them whole wheat bread and butter for breakfast, and they were his constant companions, laying in bed with him for hours.  I learned yesterday for the first time that he was a groundskeeper at the Doral Golf Resort back in the 70s and immediately wished I would have asked more questions when I had the chance.

But what I do know is that he loved his wife very much  -  they were married for 74 years  -  and that because of his commitment to family, three daughters produced nine grandchildren who brought 20 great-grandchildren into this world. One grandson is a pastor, two granddaughters married pastors, a few great grandkids are musicians in church, others serve in different ministries like baby care and small groups, and everyone of us knows Jesus. What a beautiful legacy!     

In memory of him today we shall pray the very words that accompanied him on his journey home.

Psalm 23

Dear Lord, You are my shepherd; I have all that I need.  You let me rest in green meadows; You lead me beside peaceful streams.  You renew my strength and guide me along right paths. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I am not afraid, for You are close beside me. You protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely Your goodness and unfailing love pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.

Our Paths Needed to Cross~

Psalm 107:1 "Oh, thank God - He's so good! His love never runs out.

Greetings,

Last night I attended a memorial service for Beverly Garcia.  She is the beautiful soul who taught both my children in fifth grade.  I am thankful for her life because she truly loved teaching, adored all her students, and she made learning fun.

Her son, Christopher, was there.  He shared how he turned his life around a couple of years ago and how happy this made his mom.  As a result, toward the end of her life, she really reached out to Christ with her son by her side. (It is always wise to get your spiritual affairs in order).  He cried as he spoke about praying with his mom and knowing he would see her again one day in heaven.

He also shared some regrets. 

When he was younger he was, as he put it, a bit of rebel and made poor choices.  As a result, when his grandmother was in failing health, he was not around. He did not see her or pray with her.  It was something that still saddened him deeply.

Well, I was about to give him the surprise of a lifetime.

Eighteen years ago, Jorgie and I visited his grandmother in the hospital.  And he and I each held one of her feeble little hands as we prayed together for her soul, her health, her fears, her future...She died in peace...

It was a beautiful moment that I hadn't really thought of much until last night. 

At the little reception after the service, I went up to Christopher, and shared how I loved his mom and visited with his grandmother.  He was moved to tears and the burden lifted. No more regrets - just gratitude for a God Who knew our paths needed to cross so we could both be blessed.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, It is amazing the blessings you bring into our lives.  For me, it was about seeing the tremendous turn around Christopher made in his life.  For Christopher, it was the assurance that his grandmother passed away in peace.  Thank You for Your goodness in our lives that shows up in unexpected ways.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~

He Heart Went Out to Her~

This DEVO was initially published in September 2013. Blessings~

Luke 7:11-14 “Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and His disciples and a large crowd went along with Him.  As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.  When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’”

Recently my three nephews, ages one, three, and nine and my niece, age 11, spent the night.  Rayray was still living at home, her fiancé was hovering nearby, Hormone and my lovely daughter-in-law dropped by for a visit, my brother was also present as he was temporarily living with me, and Jorge, of course, the magnificent patriarch of our little family, was there too, and well, it was a little chaotic. 

My phone may or may not have rung; I’m not sure.  I can’t recall what, if anything was on the TV.   Somehow diapers were changed, and I am pretty sure I fed the kids at least once.  Poor things!  At one point we were playing with a large rubber spider, and I meant to hurl it at Jorge, but my aim stinks, and I hit the baby square in the head.  He didn’t even cry. (Do not tell his parents).  I was surrounded by 10 people, hardly a large crowd, but I could barely keep up. 

But notice how a large crowd was with Christ, and yet He “saw her.”

None of us should ever feel that Jesus has more important things to do than to address our needs.  You are the most important thing to Him, and even though it is a mystery, He focuses on each and every one of us as though we were the only ones in the crowd. 

I like to be seen every now and again.  I like to know that I matter.  That someone has noticed me.  That someone is thinking about me.  That I am significant.  That I am special. 

Our spouses, family, and friends provide a lot of the affirmation we need, but sometimes it’s not enough.  A large crowd was with the widow as well.  No doubt they were grieving with her and trying to comfort her.  But she needed more.  She needed Jesus Himself to see her pain and reach out to her, and He did. His heart always makes a beeline for those who are suffering.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that You are never too busy to notice us.  Thank You that nothing distracts You from helping us and reaching out to us.  We are grateful for the love and support of family and friends, but it is a joy and relief to know that You see us and that Your heart goes out to us.  We receive it! In Jesus’ name, AMEN~