I have had several mentors in my life who have shared wisdom with me that is truly more precious than rubies.

There was once a king named Joash who became king at seven years old. “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoida the priest.” 2 Chronicles 24:3 Joash is responsible for repairing the temple that his grandmother, who also wanted to kill Joash (Yes, she was a piece of work.) had destroyed in order to worship the Baals.

But as soon as his mentor died, Joash abandoned the temple and the worship of idols began again. Jehoida’s son Zechariah warned Joash to return to the Lord, but Joash had him killed. Oh my! Eventually the army of Aram took siege on Joash’s kingdom, and he was severely wounded. Then, Joash’s officials “conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoida the priest, and they killed him in his bed.

Don’t we all need a Jehoida in our lives? But we must listen and not turn from the ways of the Lord.

I love the days of revelation when God gives me a fresh way to see a verse I have read so many times before. Such is the case with

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God created beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10

The Greek word for masterpiece used here is “poiema” as in our English word for poem. What fresh insight! You and I are not just skillfully but artfully created in Christ as a supernatural life as a work of divine poetry. Here I am in spirit and flesh, God’s epic poem.

I am fully known by the One who created me for what He has purposed for me to do “for such a time as this!” The Master Designer, Himself expresses and reveals Himself in me.

Holy Spirit, Who has sealed me for protection, from wrath, and for God’s ownership, help me to walk today and everyday in Your Good Works created just for me, your epic masterpiece. Amen

I received a word from God this past week from two different women. The first was a stranger who bravely shared her testimony via Zoom all the way from Florida to us in our sanctuary in Summertown Baptist Church in southeast Georgia. The other was from a friend who has the gift of tongues. God has allowed me to interpret and understand that I must share what he has laid on my heart.

I have never shared with many people because I … well I just thought people would think I am crazy or not telling the truth, but it is true. I will tell it the best I can and have asked God for help. I can do nothing without Him.

My mother died a horrible death. She was sick for several weeks, very nauseous and unable to eat. She felt she was throwing up blood, but the doctors dismissed it. We were told many different things were wrong with her by different doctors, but none had the correct diagnosis.

Finally, I asked Mama to please go to the local doctor that I used. He saw her and put her in the hospital that day for tests. That night I got a call that she had been moved to ICU. We talked on the phone, and we decided it would be best if I Daddy and I came the following morning to see her.

When we got there, Mama looked and sounded good. We talked and enjoyed each other’s company. By this point she had started to bleed pretty badly when she used the bedside pan. The doctor came in to speak to us and told us that Mama would be moved to Savannah for an ulcer to be cauterized. I will never forget the way she looked at me on that stretcher. Her eyes pierced through me with love and longing that I cannot explain. She wanted me to ride on the ambulance with her, but they would not let me. I told her that I loved her and would see her when we all got to the next hospital. I got to see her very briefly in Savannah. They insisted that she be wheeled out immediately for the procedure.

Close family came, and we waited. Soon, we were called into one of those little conference rooms. Mama “had coded.” The ulcer was punctured during the procedure. I fell to the floor sobbing. They had brought her back, and I still had hope. It was a long night. I finally got to see her. Blood was coming from every crevice of her body. Sixty-four pints had been given, but it just came pouring back out. Daddy was asked to make a decision. The efforts and machines were stopped. I sat with her and talked to her and told her what a good Mama and Nanny she was and that we all loved her. Mama died January 24, 2009.

We buried her in shock and daze. Then Satan began the attacks-convincing me it was my fault. I didn’t sleep or eat. I saw counselors. I would sit and scream and cry and literally pull my hair out. I mean I should have known months earlier it was an ulcer. It could have been taken care of, and Mama would still be here. After all, I needed her. See, I blamed myself. I even heard God say to me one night in the closet as I cried out to Him while my children slept. I heard deep within me, “Who do you think you are? You do not control who lives and dies!”

THEN one night, I had a vision. This I know: I was not asleep. I was sitting up in my bed. The lights were out, but there was a bright light above my head. I saw Mama. She was beautiful, young, and healthy. She said, “You must stop doing this to yourself. I am happier than I have ever been.” A peace came over me, and instantly the attacks and torment ceased. I will never forget it. Every detail is etched in my brain. She had on a pink top. Her teeth and face were white and glowing. The smile she had was so peaceful. I did reach out to touch her, but when the words were spoken she was gone. I have not seen her again.

That was God. My mother did not come to visit me that night, but my Father in Heaven did. He used the face of one I had seen and let me know Mama is with Him, and I will see her again. He loves me so much. He did not and has not given up on me.

This message is for someone out there. God speaks to us all the time. We must listen and reflect when praying and reading His Word. Sitting here now. This is still so hard to grasp. The love He has for each of us is a love that I don’t know if we will fully understand on this side of Heaven. He is good. He is sovereign. His ways are not our ways. The peace and joy I now have is truly unexplainable, but it is there for everyone He created in His image. He loves us so much. May we be obedient and love in return.