For My Mama

My Mama 

"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12

This was the opening verse for today's reading in a devotion book, written in 1942, that I have been going through. I've been thinking on it today so I looked it up and realized that those words are only the last half of the verse. So why do I have it memorized in exactly those words in the old King James Version? And why do I say believed in three syllables instead of two?

Because I had a mama (and daddy) who took my sisters and I to Sunday school and church. From the time I was very young I heard this old hymn sung in the Baptist Church in  a little town in Iowa.

I'm the littlest sister in the picture and another sister would join the family about 6 years later.

I couldn't remember the last time I sang this song, so I looked up the words today.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

To me He hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for His own.

I know not how this saving faith

To me He did impart,

Nor how believing in His Word

Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing men of sin,

Revealing Jesus through the Word,

Creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill

May be reserved for me,

Of weary ways or golden days,

Before His face I see.

I know not when my Lord may come,

At night or noonday fair,

Nor if I walk the vale with Him,

Or meet Him in the air.

Refrain:

But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed

Unto Him against that day.”

By Daniel W. Whittle 1883

Of course the refrain was sung after every verse so that is why I have it memorized. It was much easier to google it so I could post it here but then I did look it up in our hymnal. The number was circled so I imagine the last time I sang this song was when I would sing Amy a hymn every night before bed. It brought tears to my eyes.

Then I read this article:

My Mother's Tears

Wow! More tears.

I'm sure my Mama must have shed many tears for me. I was always an independent and a little rebellious child. I had my first summer job living away from home at 15 and the next two summers after that also. Then I was married at 18 and left the farm for a new life over 1000 miles away. I didn't think much about Mama's feelings until I became a mother myself.

How life changes. Tears, yes. I think I cried at every birthday of Amy's until I learned to accept her as God's gift to us just the way she was and that she would never be independent of me. And I've cried buckets since He decided to take her Home to Him.

I shed tears for my adult children and now my grandchildren. But I also pray for them as I'm sure my mama did for her girls and still does. Mama went through the pain of losing a daughter, too.

Now she has lived for three and a half years without her husband of 61 years!

 Mama and Daddy Around 1953 

I'm not sure I would have the strength for that. The fourth verse of the hymn says:

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,

Before His face I see.

I hope I can be as faithful and loving as my Mama has been throughout the years. Because we both.....

"know Who we believe, and are convinced that He is able to guard what we have entrusted to Him until He takes us Home."
I love you, Mama.
Happy Mothers Day!

Mama and me, two years ago.