Sometimes a story reaches into the heart and causes you to giggle, while others bring tears. Today, at Sharing Life, my friend, Tammy Rude offers one of those stories that bring tears. You will just want to go ahead and reach for a Kleenex, friend. Her’s is a beautiful story of life and death, faith and family.
Before I introduce you to Tammy, may I remind you what Sharing Life is all about?
Sharing Life is an idea the Lord gave me to come alongside women and speak into their lives. Sharing Life is about mentoring and encouraging women to lean into Jesus as they do life. Here are a few links to past posts that will allow you to see what Fridays are all about here at LeahAdams.org.
Someone Needs YOU To Be Their People
When Faith Feels More Frustration Than Song – Kimberly Henderson
Okay, on to today’s Sharing Life post by my friend, Tammy.
Tammy Rude is a wife, mother, and women’s leader who is living a restored, Christ-centered life. Tammy speak and writes with transparency using lessons learned through her struggles with marriage, motherhood, depression, and ultimately through her victory by God’s redeeming power. She enthusiastically present practical Bible-centered solutions to the problems every woman and family face. Her tender, yet firm, style challenges listeners and readers to lay down excuses and confront personal obstacles in the power available to them through Jesus Christ.
Please visit Tammy at TammyRude.com
and on Facebook at Tammy Rude Speaker Dramatic Monologues
Her time with God was important and left no wiggle room for compromise. Reading her Bible and having her daily conversation with Him was at the top of her list. God was her joy, even through the trials and tribulations.
The morning started out pretty normal. I had gotten up to get my daughter off to school only to find out she was not feeling well. I thought…not today. Today was my day to visit Mom. I enjoyed those days, but I needed to let her know I wouldn’t be coming up to visit her. My heart became a little unsettled when the phone just kept ringing, so I decided to hang up and try again a little later, maybe she was still in bed.
It was about a half hour later when I tried again and this time she answered. Her voice sounded a little strange as if her mouth was full of marbles. I asked her if she was alright and she replied “No.” So with a little hesitation, I said “Mom, what is wrong?” She then proceeded to tell me that she was making a cup of tea and her sleeve to her bathrobe had caught on fire. I asked her if she had called 911, again in a wobbly voice replied “No”, but told me the neighbor lady, Doris, was on her way over. My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest as I told her I would be right up.
I quickly got ready and grabbed Sydney to drive up to the house. I remember as I was driving asking God to give me strength. The thoughts racing through my mind were terrifying. Was this the day Mom was going home to be with the Lord? What was I going to do? I had lost Dad 2 years previously and now Mom… I wasn’t ready. I remembered asking God if she was going to be all-right and he whispered “She’s coming home.”
Even though the ride was 20 minutes away, it seem like hours. As I pulled in the driveway I tried to get Sydney to come in with me but she wouldn’t. I have to say it was the first time I was glad she said “No.” I had no idea what was waiting for me inside. Quickly I walked towards the house, asking God to help me and to clear my mind. When I opened the door, smoke brushed against my face and caused my eyes to tear up. The kitchen was full of smoke. Stepping into the kitchen I saw Doris and Laura, Mom’s other friend, standing next to the sink and the look on their faces said it all.
“Doris, is she alright?” I asked. Shaking her head slowly from side to side, as she choked on her words “Your mom is laying on the couch and it isn’t good.” Walking toward the living room, I looked down and there on the kitchen floor I saw the melted imprint of her slipper…my heart sank. There just a few feet ahead of me, Mom was laying on the couch with a white sheet covering her body.
She didn’t look like mom except for that sweet smile of hers. I tried hard to hold back the tears. I knelt down beside her, asking her if she was in a lot of pain. She looked into my eyes and whispered softly “Oh no honey, I am fine.”
She was taken to the hospital where she died at 4:15 in the afternoon. (Ninety percent of her body was covered with 3 degree burns degree.)
Evening had fallen and I still couldn’t believed what had happened. I went to bed asking God “Why?”. I remember waking up at around 4:00 the next morning with a heaviness in my heart, so I went downstairs and knelt beside my couch. I began crying out to the only One who had all the answers. I knew He was listening. I knew He felt my pain. I knew He was in control of everything. Yet, my one question was “Why would you let this happen to someone who was so faithful, who never worried about anything because she trusted You?” I couldn’t stop crying. I wanted answers but I heard nothing. I cried out again “Why, God, why?”
A few days passed and I still had no answers. Like the persistent widow, I continued asking God …”Why?” There on my knees, as my heart was breaking, I began to feel God’s presence. It was like He had leaned over, placing His hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear…”Not even the devil could steal her joy.”
I have found strength, peace and joy in those words that the LORD spoke to me that day. I want to be a woman just like my Mom, who completely trusted God, even to the very end. She knew her joy came when her eyes were fixed on Jesus.
Later, the doctor told me the ETMs said she didn’t go into shock until she was placed in the helicopter. I believe God wanted me to know He was with her during her tragic ordeal.
Dear friend, is something trying to steal your joy? Are their joy-killers in your life?
If you know Jesus, you also know joy…even in the middle of tragedy and trial. Ask Him to fill your heart with joy and help you trust Him in the pain of whatever seeks to steal your joy.
How may we pray for you today? Leave us a comment and know your need will be lifted to the Father in heaven.
