The Sound of Peace
It was Easter Sunday morning, April 3rd, 1994, when I received a phone call from my dad giving me the devastating news that my grandmother, his mom, had passed away. I was 19 years old and away from home for the first time on Easter. My job had me traveling in Oklahoma and I was awakened at a hotel in Oklahoma City with this news. My dad arranged a flight for me to return home immediately.
While flying to Atlanta, my mind was consumed with MawMaw. She was my spiritual hero. Rheumatoid arthritis claimed her body for over 35 years. I never had the opportunity to see her standing. Her hands and feet were deformed by the disorder. I thought of every conversation we had in her living room or bedroom. I could hear the sound of her motorized wheelchair over that of the sounds of the airplane. I closed my eyes to enhance my memories of bending over to hug her, smelling the Oil of Olay lotion she had on her skin every day to keep from excessive drying, and the gentleness of her kiss on my cheek. There was never a time I saw her that I didn't get that kiss. I opened my eyes to look out the window and remembered the countless times I saw her gazing out of her living room window that faced the west. The sunsets would place a glow on her oiled skin as she rested her chin on her crippled hand, propped from her elbow resting on the arm of her chair. My eyes looked downward to see her right foot slightly raised from the wheelchair foot rest and subtly swinging to a sound that resonates in my mind to this day. Her Bible was open on her T.V. tray she always had available as she softly hummed a hymn or personal worship song she offered to God.
While I wondered why she didn't offer sounds of moaning from the constant physical pain she endured or sounds of verbal complaining about what her life had become because of her disability, she was producing a sound of peace. One of the hymns I vividly remember her humming was, "Wonderful Peace." I would stand out of sight, sit on the couch in silence, or be behind her without her knowledge just to listen in amazement. Oh, the lessons she was teaching me even when I didn't have understanding at that time. She was a living testament to the scripture I've read many times since and just used today in an attempt to encourage a student facing a personal struggle. If anyone personified the following scripture, MawMaw did.
I thought of the moment I walked into the hospital room to visit her in our hometown of Griffin, GA just a short time before my returning to Oklahoma City. She was struggling to breathe, hurting all over because pneumonia had set in, which would eventually cause her last physical battle. I walked in fighting to withhold the tears. Though I was used to seeing her in a wheelchair, I had never seen her in the hospital. I gently asked her, "How you doing, MawMaw?" In her typical manner, she ignored her turmoil and my question by gently responding, "Hey Baby, how are you doing?" Even in her most severe final moments, she offered a sound of peace. I was astonished at her constant gentleness, lack of anxiety, and willingness to rejoice, always. Before I left her room, I softly hummed the hymn I heard so many times from her...
That Easter morning when Dad called took on a relevant meaning to resurrection Sunday for me. How appropriate for Jesus to spiritually resurrect MawMaw on the day we celebrated His resurrection. I envisioned her standing, dancing, and yes, humming the sound of peace in the presence of Peace, Himself.
This is how I know we can face whatever life brings us. Paul penned it eloquently, but with experience. MawMaw lived it in front of everyone, every day. And now I have lived enough to experience this promise as well. Paul's encouragement was a powerful connection with my grandmother and is also the same for us today. God's peace is the blanket in the midst of the frigid circumstances surrounding us. May your prayers be accompanied with thanksgiving that lifts your spirit in confidence to know His peace is the result. Our rejoicing, always, is the sound of His peace. Let the world hear it!
While flying to Atlanta, my mind was consumed with MawMaw. She was my spiritual hero. Rheumatoid arthritis claimed her body for over 35 years. I never had the opportunity to see her standing. Her hands and feet were deformed by the disorder. I thought of every conversation we had in her living room or bedroom. I could hear the sound of her motorized wheelchair over that of the sounds of the airplane. I closed my eyes to enhance my memories of bending over to hug her, smelling the Oil of Olay lotion she had on her skin every day to keep from excessive drying, and the gentleness of her kiss on my cheek. There was never a time I saw her that I didn't get that kiss. I opened my eyes to look out the window and remembered the countless times I saw her gazing out of her living room window that faced the west. The sunsets would place a glow on her oiled skin as she rested her chin on her crippled hand, propped from her elbow resting on the arm of her chair. My eyes looked downward to see her right foot slightly raised from the wheelchair foot rest and subtly swinging to a sound that resonates in my mind to this day. Her Bible was open on her T.V. tray she always had available as she softly hummed a hymn or personal worship song she offered to God.
While I wondered why she didn't offer sounds of moaning from the constant physical pain she endured or sounds of verbal complaining about what her life had become because of her disability, she was producing a sound of peace. One of the hymns I vividly remember her humming was, "Wonderful Peace." I would stand out of sight, sit on the couch in silence, or be behind her without her knowledge just to listen in amazement. Oh, the lessons she was teaching me even when I didn't have understanding at that time. She was a living testament to the scripture I've read many times since and just used today in an attempt to encourage a student facing a personal struggle. If anyone personified the following scripture, MawMaw did.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)
I thought of the moment I walked into the hospital room to visit her in our hometown of Griffin, GA just a short time before my returning to Oklahoma City. She was struggling to breathe, hurting all over because pneumonia had set in, which would eventually cause her last physical battle. I walked in fighting to withhold the tears. Though I was used to seeing her in a wheelchair, I had never seen her in the hospital. I gently asked her, "How you doing, MawMaw?" In her typical manner, she ignored her turmoil and my question by gently responding, "Hey Baby, how are you doing?" Even in her most severe final moments, she offered a sound of peace. I was astonished at her constant gentleness, lack of anxiety, and willingness to rejoice, always. Before I left her room, I softly hummed the hymn I heard so many times from her...
Refrain:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit, forever I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
That Easter morning when Dad called took on a relevant meaning to resurrection Sunday for me. How appropriate for Jesus to spiritually resurrect MawMaw on the day we celebrated His resurrection. I envisioned her standing, dancing, and yes, humming the sound of peace in the presence of Peace, Himself.
This is how I know we can face whatever life brings us. Paul penned it eloquently, but with experience. MawMaw lived it in front of everyone, every day. And now I have lived enough to experience this promise as well. Paul's encouragement was a powerful connection with my grandmother and is also the same for us today. God's peace is the blanket in the midst of the frigid circumstances surrounding us. May your prayers be accompanied with thanksgiving that lifts your spirit in confidence to know His peace is the result. Our rejoicing, always, is the sound of His peace. Let the world hear it!
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