Happy Mother's Day Reba

Life can get real complicated at times. Last night my wife and I visited ‘Reba’ – a senior lady in her 80’s now. My heart went out to her as she sat in the hospital chair watching a favorite TV program. Her hospital bed was not comfortable. She was still in pain three weeks after her fall at home. There was a big bruise on her right arm and her shoulder hurt badly. They are looking at a senior’s home that she might live in…but she wants nothing to do with that idea. She just wants to go home.

Reba described her family problems. She has four sons. She also has three grandkids and about three more great grandkids that she has never seen. Two of her sons have been in prison. Another of her sons is not allowed to see her because his wife hates her mother-in-law. She sent him an expensive gift on his last birthday – it arrived back on her door step five days later. Another of her sons stole $1000 from her bank account and sent it to his male lover in another city in Ontario. The male lover is a big time user of people and uses people like Reba’s son. One of Reba’s grandsons died a year or so ago – but she has no idea why – no one will tell her. He had come to borrow $10 from Reba the night before he died. The last thing that Reba heard from that grandson was, “I love you grandma.”

Yesterday was Reba’s birthday. Happy Birthday Reba. You will never read this – nor will any of your family – few have the wherewithal to do computer stuff. The half eaten Birthday cake sat on the rolling table beside her bed. She smiled at us and asked if we would like a piece of her cake.

It was the first time we met Reba. My heart goes out to her. How could so much happen to her since her husband died those years ago?

As I knelt beside her chair to pray for her – it was hard to not choke up. This lady certainly needs God’s help. Will she ever be able to find it? This dysfunctional family seems way beyond help. It is at times like this that if I had a Million Dollars I could step in and change everything. But Millionaires don’t do stupid things like that do they?

I don’t know what to do other than go back to see her again and simply listen. That seemed to help yesterday. I guess that is a maximum impact for her life too. Just having someone to listen is huge.

This year’s Mother’s Day has a new twist with Reba lurking in my thoughts. Happy Mother’s Day Reba. I will think of you tomorrow.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~