This is a beautiful photo of Jo, my mother-in-law, when she was a senior in high school, with her whole life ahead of her. Doctors found a large tumor in my mother-in-law's chest on June 14th, she was diagnosed with lung cancer on July 5th, and on August 18th, at the age of 52, she passed away.
She had been an alcoholic, unemployed, bankrupt, lost, and alone. But about a year and a half later her life turned completely around. She became sober, employed, responsible, found, and surrounded by loved-ones. And she credited God.
Everyone thought that they'd lose her to alcoholism a long time ago, without the chance to make things right, that she would leave a sad legacy. But we had a year and a half to get to really know her again, for relationships to heal, and for her legacy to be great.
And it is...one day we might have children and we'll be able to tell them that their Grandma Jo was a great woman that loved God and had given her life to Him. She was strong, a breast cancer survivor, and she courageously fought against lung cancer too. She was great at her work, a Senior Mainframe Computer Analyst for IBM, and she loved her job. She was organized and practical. She loved her dogs, Amie and Teddy. She enjoyed sewing and being crafty. She loved us and we loved her very much.
So many people have given kind words and condolences. And we don't know what to say exactly because yes, we've had a loss, but we're also filled with great joy. Her life was a very broken and complicated story, but in the end a beautiful story of redemption and healing.
It looks a lot like what Isaiah prophesied and what was fulfilled in Christ...
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
2 comments:
Oh Heather, I didn't know your mother-in-law passed away. So sorry. Thank you for writing this post. You're right - so beautiful, redemptive. Know that I'm praying for you and Kenny today, asking God to continue wrapping you in love as you grieve and thanking Him for the beautiful lifestory you witnessed through Jo. Much love, my friend.
-Shana
I'm just now reading it, but it truly is a beautiful story of redemption. It reminds me of Gungor's song, "Beautiful Things," and God's amazing desire to take us as we are, broken and imperfect, and make something beautiful out of our lives. Thank you so much for sharing this story!
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