“There he smiled at me one last time, but I didn’t know that was the last smile. That’s what I’ll always remember . . .”
That’s Semese describing the loss of her husband, a Turkish Christian, who was tortured and killed for his faith. Max Lucado tells the story in his new book, Outlive Your Life.
I remember my mother-in-law’s last smile and wave as we left to return to Georgia. We didn’t know that was the last smile. That she would be with Jesus within the week.
I’ve always told my children to make up quickly and never part angry. Because you never know if you will see that person on earth again.
And those were my thoughts when I posted this status on Facebook last week.
“What will be my loved ones’ last memory of me?”
Would they remember a smile and a hug? Or a mean face and a cross word?
But my friend, Tami Heim, responded with this comment:
“One of the great things you leave behind is your blog. It is a record of your life, your thoughts, and the things that have inspired you. They will know you and love you just like we do. You are leaving them the gift of YOU–straight from the heart. It is a sacred treasure–the heartbeat of you. Priceless.”
Stunned.
I was not expecting that.
Encouragement from her fingertips tattooed on my heart.
And I will remember those precious words on the days I wonder if I can write one more post. When I wonder if this blogging thing has run its course. When I wonder if I am wasting my time writing words, words, and more words.
And I will ask myself what words will I choose to speak or write into the lives of others today.
And I will draw courage and strength and inspiration from a simple, surprising, and sticky Facebook comment.
Thank you, my friend. LYI.
“One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul.” ~St. Teresa of Lisieux
Joining Bonnie Gray and company as she serves up today’s topic on Unexpected Encouragement in a Faith Barista Jam. Be sure to check out the shots of others.
Also celebrating Imperfect Prose on Thursdays with Emily.
What a beautiful view I have of two shining souls merged in one setting on this page:)
“Encouragement from her fingertips tattooed on my heart”-
Now thats a ‘sticky’ friend!
I draw love, encouragement, and inspiration from you too!
Thank you for mentoring me from Michigan:)
LYI.
~M~
You are so an encouragement to me. Group hug!
Yes we leave our words behind us, prayerfully, that they leave a path to Jesus that we didn’t even know we had created.
I love that thought, Karin–a path we didn’t know we created.
Our words…our lives are the fingerprints God uses to express His love to this world. Beautiful post!
Thanks, Jay. I think of God’s fingerprints on my life, perhaps through others. I forget to think of myself as a fingerprint.
Hi Sandra –
Wow and double Wow! I loved this post.
The last month my husband was alive, we had many of these moments. We never knew when it would be the last one.
Blessings,
Susan
Oh, Susan. That tugged at my heart.
Wow, what an encouragement. Love your thoughts for all of this! Thanks Sandra.
Thanks, Jason. 🙂
I’m SSSOOO glad you jammed today, Sandra. “Encouragement from fingertips tattooed on my heart” — stunningly, unexpectedly encouraging. This comforts me, as faces of my children, Hubby and loved ones flashed in my mind reading this post.
I’m glad I did, too. You are such an encourager.
I love this! Such encouraging words that will outlive the moment. 🙂
Thanks, Melissa!
Sandra – That picture is GORGEOUS! This reminds me of when God told Joshua to gather stones “that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying ‘what do these stones mean to you?”
I have a family blog that in essence is my ebeneezer stone. It is precious to me and my family. A living, breathing, moving scrapbook.
Yes, you are leaving a legacy!
That’s beautiful, Melissa! I sometimes think of placing a bowl out to add stones of remembrance. I should do that.
And thanks on the picture. I’ve been learning “stuff” from Claire Burge and driving my husband crazy. 😉 I posted some photos in my Deep Sea Diving and Buried Treasures posts. 🙂
This is an interesting perspective. I find that right now while I’m living, family and friends are not interested in my blog. That’s okay, because they prefer the real me.
But when I’m gone, it might be treasured by some one.
My mom and my sister lurk. I try not to let that color what I write. 🙂
I don’t think anyone else comes here, but I’m not sure. Maybe that allows more realness now to be treasured later.
When I started my first blog, my father was my biggest fan. I’d love to wake up in the morning and find a comment from him. It was always detailed and encouraging. When he passed away, I mourned for a long time. I can still go back and read through his comments and that makes me happy. I will always have his words. I’m thrilled I started a blog and he participated.
Nice post.
Maribeth
Hi, Maribeth. Thanks so much for stopping in. You’ve shared a beautiful testimony. What a blessing. Thanks for sharing that. I did not realize how encouraging a blog could be in the give and take on both sides.
This is so encouraging. Thank you for writing it. Thank you for writing.
Hi Ryan. Thanks! And thanks for visiting.
Sandra, this is just beautiful, and so incredibly encouraging. And I can relate so much to your story — I left my mother-in-law for the last time less than 2 weeks ago, knowing I would not see her on this earth again. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But it was such a gift to tell her in person how much I love her and what an enormous impact she’s had on my life. We should all take that opportunity every day — not just on the deathbed, but in ordinary, everyday life. Thank you for such a compelling reminder.
Oh, Michelle. I’m so glad you had that opportunity. I am praying for you.
LYIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII.
God has tattooed YOU on my heart and He only uses permanent ink!
Write on dear friend – write on!
Love you more.
you have spoken to so many, sandra, through this broken post… through your vulnerability, and i need to thank you because you spoke to me too… it was one of those days of doubting myself, of wondering why, and you reached in there and breathed faith and life (and thanks to your friend tami, too :))… your blog is a place where i find hope and strength. never stop writing, friend.
love and peace, e.
Emily, we need that coffee! I find hope and peace in your place. I think encouragement is contagious.
Hugs to you.
Never doubt you are wasting time with your words.
Your heart bleeds through every one…helps us see what should matter most on this side.
So good to see you, Jeff. You’ve encouraged and blessed me today!
There have been a couple instances where I know something I’ve said or done has been important to someone else. But I’ve never thought of my blog as having any kind of lasting value. In fact, when the day comes that I’m not able to continue it, my intent would be to take it down… delete it. Now I’ll have to rethink that! I always pray that God will somehow shine through my murkiness so others can see something of Him, but haven’t considered that blogging might play a part in achieving that goal. Thanks for a thought-provoking post, Sandra.
That was an amazing thought to me, too. I’ve been thinking that I should leave my addys and log-in passwords where family can locate them in case something ever happens to me. 🙂
Beautiful post. I think your friend’s answer was in part one of the reasons I started writing and blogging, so i can leave something concrete for my kids when I am gone (hopefully many many years from now).