Today would have been my mom's 60th birthday.
Obviously I feel many emotions today, but the prevalent one that has fought its way to the top of the pile is gratitude.
Gratitude for the fact that I had thirty full years with her.
Gratitude for the fact that she is with her Lord in paradise.
Gratitude toward the Lord and the anonymous donor(s) who surprised me with an opportunity to spend her birthday with her last year – memories I will cherish for years to come.
Gratitude for the grace of God, the gift of salvation and the hope we have in Christ.
I learned at Mom's funeral that the testimony she gave in front of her church at the beginning of the year is available to listen to online. I listened to it a few nights ago. Of course I cried. Sad tears and happy tears. Happy tears because of the conviction of her message, the confidence of her faith, the consistency of her gratitude.
If you would like to listen to it, go to www.fellowshipreformed.org, click on “Audio” and search for the testimony of Rita VanKrimpen given on the 23rd of January 2011.
It is seven minutes long and well worth the listen. If you don't get the chance to hear it, allow me to share two portions that stuck out for me. Even as she stood in front of the church, portable oxygen emitting puffs of air into the microphone, wig on her head, blurred vision as a result of the chemo, neuropathy leaving her with no feeling in her hands or feet, she testified that “Christ has already healed me in so many ways.” This was a woman who understood that healing is not only physical. She had experienced for herself the healing power of the blood of Christ.
She pleaded with the congregation on that day to anyone who did not yet have Jesus, “Don't wait. Do it today.” He alone can make all the difference.
For me, this recording online is just one of the countless ways that her testimony continues to live on.
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