The Apostle Paul inspired to write these words, in the letter, 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 5, Verse 8, as rendered in the Amplified Bible, "we are [as I was saying] of good courage and confident hope, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."

Thanks to ChatGPT that helped me to stand with my beloved mother-in-law, Mary Emma Stephenson Rawles, (1917-1998)

Yesterday's story was a challenge because, believe it or not, I wrote and re-wrote it several times. It happens that way sometimes. It's not exactly like a box of chocolates, but, there are days when my stuff just seems not to pass muster, and, I am certain some of you have no idea what that means. Right? ("Pass muster" means to meet a required standard, pass inspection, or be deemed acceptable, often used in negative contexts (e.g., "doesn't pass muster"). Originating in the 16th century from military inspections, it means to undergo review without censure. It is commonly confused with "cut the mustard" or mistakenly written as "pass mustard".) Sorry to put a pain in your brain so early on this Thursday, March 26, 2026. This is the day that many in our family remember because it's the anniversary of the birthday of the wife of my youth's mom. Mom Rawles was a remarkable woman. She never signed up to become a pastor's wife but she became one and was, in her own way, one of the most Godly people I've had the privilege to know and love. She was a behind the scenes person. She loved the Lord. She loved her family. She loved listening to Bluegrass Gospel and Southern Gospel music, she was a published poet and her poems were about everyday life, the struggles, pain, the gains and losses, and, how God had been there all the time. She was a sewing genius and her hands with a needle and thread were faster than anyone's I ever observed. We have many of her quilts that are special memories in and of themselves. She loved variety and if you ever sat at her table she would layout all kinds of different items to choose from. That was something new to me because I grew up sitting down to a main dish surrounded by a few supporting dishes. Mom Rawles would have a dozen items to choose from, and, they were good. She was perhaps one of the most faithful prayer warriors I've ever known, spending many hours at night interceding on behalf of her family and others. I'll never forget the last conversation I had with her. She was in the hospital and they did not expect her to make it, but, she had rebounded a little, this is what she said to me, "Do you think it would be okay for me to hang around a little bit longer?" I told her it would be fantastic. She passed on into the Lord's Presence a few days later. She did. She really did. (2 Corinthians 5:8) She was not perfect, but, she was one amazing lady, and, I know my life was not only touched but enriched by knowing her. I do have one longstanding issue with her. I never, and, I mean never, could use any mother-in-low jokes because they just wouldn't work. They didn't fit this remarkable lady. May God bless the memory of her life and may her testimony continue to encourage and impact others. Amen.

 

Yes. I did try to let her know how much I appreciated her while she was here. I also know that my name was on her frequently called out prayer list. For that, I am grateful. God is Sovereign and at the same time He has designed prayer into our day by day living before Him. Well, why don't you explain how it works, brother? Sorry. That is not only above my pay grade it is in the category of 'known only to God'. There are some examples however that instruct us how prayer works within the Sovereign will of God. Take King Hezekiah for instance. He was one of the most faithful kings in Israel's history. Isaiah was sent to tell the ailing king that he should get his house in order because his days were numbered. All of this is recorded in Isaiah Chapter 38, and, in 2nd Kings Chapter 20, and 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 32. Here's the part I want to focus in on. Isaiah left the king's deathbed and Hezekiah, having received this prophetic utterance responded in this manner as recorded in Isaiah Chapter 38, Verses 2-5: "Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 'Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying, 'Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.'" I've always been amazed by this account and that detail, "I have seen your tears", my bolding. This is the truth folks: God saw his tears, and, He sees yours, and, He sees mine. Now, truth is Hezekiah didn't utilize those added fifteen years in the best way possible, but, as they always say, that, my friend is a story for another time. Go. Read about it yourself. Check me out. Let me know if I've not got it right. Okay? Y'all be encouraged that our Sovereign God sees the very essence of our journey and He is right there with us, every step of the way. Amen.