A Good Friday Devotion by Ruth Carney
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11: 25-26
It was Good Friday, April 9, 1993. It was morning, I was in my office and the phone rang. It was the head nurse at the nursing home where my mother was a resident. She said I needed to come and I said I would as soon as I as was through with my day. She said no, come now, your mother doesn’t have much time left.
I left immediately. When I arrived, I went straight to my mother. The head nurse came to me and said let’s move her to a private room so the two of you can be alone. I sat with my mother and held her hand and talked and talked to her. I knew she didn’t understand what I was saying and probably didn’t even know I was there with her. She suffered with old age dementia and I hadn’t been able to have a conversation with her in over a year or even know if she knew when I was with her.
After a while, one of the nurses came in and I asked her to stay with my mother so I could use the bathroom. While I was there, I could hear my mother fussing on the other side of the door. She was fussing when I came out, but when I walked up to the bed and took her hand, she stopped. It was the first time, in too many months to count, that I knew she knew I was there with her.
I looked at my mother who loved me all my life, took her hand in mine and kissed it. I brought up all the courage I could muster and told her “It’s ok, you can let go. I’ll take care of everything.” Within five minutes, she breathed her last. I kissed her good bye. It was just about 3:00 PM.
Good and Gracious God, We never know when those “God-Moments” come to us. Be with us and help us to see that we are never alone. You are with us always whether we realize it or not. Amen.
Reminder: Ecumenical service at Edwards Church, 12pm
Today’s Good Friday service at noon will center on the story of the crucifixion and how it awakens us to our need for healing. The service will include an opportunity to come forward for anointing and healing prayers.