God is pretty cool how He gives me something to write about each day. And today is no exception.  Usually I read The Word first thing, but not today.  God was preparing my mind ahead of time.  First, I ran an errand and did a little shopping.  Then on the way home I spoke on the phone with my sister-in-law, Dee.  Her mother, Mrs. Velma, has been ill for quite some time and is in her last days here on earth.
The past few days, every time I’m on the phone with the family or over visiting, I can’t help but cry when I walk away or when listening to updates on the phone.  I’m tearing up now just thinking about it.  The beautiful thing about it all is….Mrs. Velma is ready to see Jesus.  The family is at peace and is ready for her to be in no more pain.
While I was speaking with Dee earlier she said that there is one more grandchild to come home for Mrs. Velma to see.  He has been away as a camp counselor and did speak with his grandmother on the phone a couple of days ago.  She was telling him all about the mansion that is waiting for her in heaven.  Well, he is on his way, and will be home tonight.  Just in time for a good ole guitar-picking and family sing time.
Velma loves it when the family is together.  They pull out guitars, banjos, and the piano and start playing gospel songs.  They all sing-a-long and joy fills the house and their hearts. Today in Psalms 81:1-2 I read “Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.” My mind went straight to Mrs. Velma.  I can just picture it now; they will all be gathered in her room singing to God, filling Velma’s heart with joy, and their bodies with strength.
Then in Proverbs 17:22 it said, “A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.”  Again, my mind immediately thought about the Newsome family.  I could hear a “cheerful disposition” in Dee’s voice on the phone. You know, that is the difference between having Jesus in your heart and not.  When times like these occur, God gives you strength, peace, and hope.  There will be many smiles on faces tonight as they pull out their instruments and sing those songs.  I bet Mrs. Velma will have the biggest smile of them all.  It may not be completely visible on her face, but her heart will be about to explode with cheerfulness.
When God is ready for Mrs. Velma to come home to her mansion, I am quite confident that she would want you to know exactly what Paul and Barnabas were saying in Acts 14:15b, “turn away from these worthless things. Turn to the true living God, the one who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them.”  Yes siree, she would want everyone to make sure they were ready and know that they will be in heaven one day. Turn away from sin and self and turn to Jesus.
My heart and prayers go out to the Newsome family.  Mrs. Velma has been a wonderful godly mother, motherly-figure, and friend to many.  She will be leaving a legacy of love and laughter through her family, and to those who knew her.  She may be only about four feet and ten inches tall, but her faith in God makes her a giant.
July 14