While doing some blog maintenance, I discovered that yesterday was my three-year blog anniversary! To celebrate, I am reposting my very first post, written in the Charlotte airport after my first She Speaks conference. God has brought me through lots of storms in the past three years, but the Son never stopped shining on me. Love, LeeBird
Originally posted on June 21, 2008
The weather of my life has been unpredictable lately. If I were the meteorologist for the weather news of my heart, I would have been fired by now for bad reporting! The last two weeks have had both storms and sunshine–sometimes both in the same day or even the same hour.
I’ve been anticipating the “She Speaks” conference for months and months. I can still remember the day the advertisement for it popped up on my computer……it was as if God had put a spotlight on it with a flashing sign that said, “Sign up!”
My plan was to fly to Charlotte, NC a few days early so that I could dash over to TN to see one of my favorite cousins, the one who taught me how to have a quiet time with God.
The week before the conference week, I went to Louisiana to visit with my sister. While there, my Uncle Joe’s health took a turn for the worst; lung cancer was quickly stealing his days. My mom and I decided to head to Mississippi to see him and provide my aunt with support.
I had the privilege of sitting by my Uncle Joe’s bedside holding his work-worn hand. While there, I opened my devotional book to spend a little time with the Lord. The reading was about eternal life. Jeremiah 29:11 was the focus verse, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.” I have always loved that verse, but was puzzled as to why it was used in a devotional about eternal life. The writer spoke about God’s plans for our lives and how most people think God’s plans for us end at death. Not true! God still has plans for us after we die–bigger and better plans even!
As I sat by Uncle Joe’s side, I told him about the reading I had done that morning.
I said, “Uncle Joe, what do you think God has planned for you in heaven?”
That precious man, who has worked for more than 40 years as a building superintendent, thoughtfully replied, “Hmm…I don’t know, Lee. Maybe a builder.”
I smiled and said, “Just think Uncle Joe! In heaven, there will be no deadlines, no intense summer heat, no undependable employees or complaining customers. Work will be sheer pleasure the way God intended it to be in the first place. We will be able to lay the product of our labor at the feet of Jesus as an offering.”
Uncle Joe’s face softened and his breathing calmed as he said, “That sounds real good, Lee.”
Later that day, as I prepared to leave, I leaned down to kiss Uncle Joe on the top of his fuzzy chemotherapy–shorn head. It broke my heart to look him in the eye and say a final goodbye. “I love you, Uncle Joe.” “I love you too, Lee. You be good.”
Well, I don’t need to tell you that I boo hooed like a baby most of the way back to Louisiana.
After a few days, I went back to Arizona to prepare for my trip to Charlotte for the She Speaks Conference. On Monday afternoon, I felt the Lord telling me to change my departing flight so that I could fly to Jackson, Mississippi. Uncle Joe was still alive, but barely.
My generous and supportive sister paid the extra fee for my flight and rental car.
I got into Jackson late Tuesday afternoon and drove the two hours to my uncle’s hospital bed. At 7:15, I walked into his room.
Although my body remained upright, I felt my heart faint as I saw how much Uncle Joe had deteriorated in less than a week. He had lost so much weight and was in a coma-like state.
My Aunt Venia’s face revealed the condition of her heart–completely broken over having to watch her soul mate and best friend suffer so.
As she sat on one side of his bed and I sat on the other, I said, “Let’s pray for him, Aunt Venia.”
I sighed deeply as the Holy Spirit gave me the words to say:
“Lord, we don’t understand all of this. We know that you have the power to heal and have chosen not to. That hurts our feelings, Lord. We want to see Uncle Joe whole and well. We don’t understand, but we know that Your ways are higher than our ways. We will understand one day why you are choosing to take Uncle Joe from us so early. We ask that you would show Uncle Joe and us mercy and go ahead and take him on to be with you in heaven so his suffering can end. Please, allow him to start his plans with you in heaven today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen”
Within minutes of our prayer, my sister and Uncle Joe’s son walked into the room. They stared at Uncle Joe in amazement and commented that his breathing had changed drastically. About 15 minutes after Aunt Venia and I prayed, Uncle Joe died with his wife holding his hand, his son stroking his head, and his nieces whispering, “I love you’s.”
What a privilege it was for me to be there to help usher my precious uncle to his new life in heaven. I have never experienced anything like it.
Uncle Joe’s funeral was Friday morning–the morning I was due to start the conference in Charlotte. God provided me with a cheap plane pass so that I could get into Charlotte by 9:00 p.m. that evening. I missed some of the conference, but God let me make it for what He wanted me to experience.
I was welcomed with loving, open arms by She Speaks staff members, Samantha and LeAnn. “Lee! You made it! We’ve been praying for you!”
My roommate, Wendy was in the room waiting impatiently. She hugged me tightly and called her husband to tell him I’d finally arrived.
Other friends I had met on the She Speaks blog also breathed a sigh of relief when I called them to announce my arrival. “We’ve been praying all evening!” bubbled Susan and Mary.
I was overwhelmed by the way these seemingly complete strangers had invested so much concern and care into my life.
Strangers no more. I have sisters–sisters who love me enough to pray, sisters who understand my desire to use my writing gifts to encourage others, sisters who make me laugh and cry.
Thank you God! You showed your faithfulness in the sunshine moments and the stormy moments. You are my provider through it all.
Blessed be Your Name!
