Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ZEST (10/01/15)
- TITLE: Ardelle's Advice | Previous Challenge Entry
By Michol Tanner
10/07/15 -
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Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…”*
With a heavy heart, I squint at the clock. It is nearly three o’clock in the afternoon and I haven’t slept in hours. Sunlight freely enters my mother’s bedroom; not having to steal its way through closed curtains, because as she would say, she “fancies the sunlight.” I listen to birds chirping as I sit vigil at her bedside; gently holding her fragile hands in mine- they are like an icebox despite the sun kissing her wrinkled forehead and shining across her feeble body.
“Momma, are you cold?” I ask.
I want so much to transfer my warmth to her, but I know that her circulation is shutting down, and my efforts to warm her are probably futile. Still, I pull her favorite afghan up under her chin, covering the bluish mottling that has spread its way across her body. Her breathing is becoming more labored and sporadic. I sigh because it’s difficult watching her grasping for air. It won’t be long now, I think to myself, as tears sneak down my cheeks.
"It’s OK,” I promise her, “you don’t have to hold on any longer.” I squeeze her hand in reassurance and gaze lovingly into her eyes, “You have fought a good fight momma; Jesus is waiting to show you your new home.” Tears well up in her eyes now; wiping away first hers, and then mine, I say as enthusiastically as possible, “I will be fine. You can go now.”
Then I recite her favorite Psalm- Psalm 23. I leave her well-worn Bible laying on the nightstand for I have read this Psalm to her so many times in recent months that I know it by heart.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me…”*
Mom has been too weak to talk for several days now, but when I finish her Psalm, she inhales sharply, and as I lean forward and put my lips to her hollowed cheek, I hear her murmur “Zestfully.” With that, her chest becomes still and I know, at this very moment, she is walking with Jesus through the door of her new home.
I smile through my tears, “Zestfully indeed momma, zestfully indeed.”
******
The atmosphere in the small sanctuary is joyous as family and friends are gathering to celebrate my mother’s life. Her favorite song, I Can Only Imagine, by Mercy Me plays softly in the background. After losing her three-year long battle with cancer, she is finally pain-free.
Pastor Mike gives a beautiful eulogy. He then offers those who want to share something about my mother’s life an opportunity to step forward. The common theme among them was how she lived her life zealously. They shared how even throughout her illness she remained positive and full of hope. She did not allow bitterness to destroy what little time she had left.
"We’ll close the celebration of Ardelle’s life with a special word and a prayer from her daughter,” Pastor Mike said as he handed me the microphone.
Dabbing my eyes with a tissue, I begin, “Mom’s name Ardelle means warmth and enthusiasm; all through life she exuded those qualities. We went through some tough times, but despite this, she always managed to hold true to her names’ meaning. Even in her last months, when I know she must have been in incredible pain, she eagerly looked forward to having me read her the Bible, and talk to her about what was happening with our family. Growing up mom always said to me, ‘Do everything zestfully, as if unto the Lord’.”** I falter, dabbing my eyes again. “Mom was able to muster one final word to me before she went to be with Jesus; with her final breath she murmured, ‘Zestfully’.”
“Lord, thank you for everyone who came here today to celebrate my mother’s life. Thank you for giving me forty-eight wonderful years with her. She had such enthusiasm for life and for serving you; she was an inspiration to many. May we all go from here today and remember her advice, ‘Do everything zestfully, as if unto the Lord’.”**
*All scripture reference is from the New King James version Bible.
**Ardelle’s “advice” is the author’s paraphrase of Colossian’s 3:23.
This is a work of fiction.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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You did a great job and a winner for sure.
All the best. :)
P.S. I am also a fan of Mercy Me. Great band.
Beautiful job with the topic your lovely sentiments were a beacon of light as I read your words.
It says
work of fiction at the end of your story, but it held such an authentic tone I wonder if that was an oversight.
If this is indeed true...my sincere and deepest condolences to you and yours.
God bless~