Blessed Be Your Name
Four years.
It has been four years since my sweet mother passed away.
And I still miss her.
That has never really changed.
I know I have written about her before.
And I am sure I will write about her again.
She was my mom.
Her life (and her passing) shape so much of who I am.
I am sure that is normal. Right?
This week my memory was struck again by a song we sang at church.
“Blessed Be Your Name”
We sang this song at my mother’s memorial service.
And I can still clearly recall watching my dad while we sang.
“Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name”
I am not sure if I meant any of those words that I mumbled through at that time.
But looking at my father’s face,
I am sure that he did.
The years have brought both softness and understanding, of course.
And I can gratefully mean those words when I sing them now.
“Every blessing you pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be Your name”
Although, it’s funny.
And you might think me overly sentimental,
but I still cry when that song is played.
Not necessarily big, weepy-faced tears.
But tears, nonetheless.
Sometimes, when that song unexpectedly weaves its way into the line up on my iPod,
I have to just press the “‘next” button.
Because who can handle those tears at every turn?
“You give and take away
But my heart will chose to say
Blessed be Your name”
12 Comments
Cindy
I miss your mom……her beauty – her laughter – her gentle, accepting spirit – her strong faith – her friendship – her love. She loved you so very much, but I know you already know that.
LaceyKeigley
Yes.
I can say certainly that I have always been aware of my mother\’s love for me.
(How I long for my children to know this about me as well.)
Helen Rutrough
Oh I miss her too! Would love to have one of her hugs about now!! We had some sweet times together. Truly is her name Blessed. A Proverbs 31 woman.
LaceyKeigley
I love to be reminded that other people miss my mother too.
It is lovely to not be alone in that.
Gretchen
That is really sweet and precious. Your mom was really a wonderful lady. I was always so impressed in how she always welcomed this band full of crazy College kids to her house. But what I really liked about your mom is she was just a really nice person, graceful words, very kind, and encouraging. I cannot even imagine the feelings honestly, but what precious memories you have. And Blessed Be His Name. Love ya! G
LaceyKeigley
Thanks G.
She always loved when we would all descend on the farm.
Stacy Finnigan
March 7th. That will mark 20 years since my dad's death.
I'm not sure how I'm going to handle it; it's kind of a big number, especially considering that I will only be 1.917 numbers bigger than that number.
More importantly I don't know how my brother is going to handle it, since he will be -0.25 years smaller than that number. It is awful to think that I remember how long my Dad has been gone by how many years my Brother has been here.
To be my Mom, now that'd be awfuller. She's so brave. Great and courageous.
LaceyKeigley
I truly cannot imagine.
And your mother is brave.
And so is your brother really.
And you too.
It makes me hurt to think of all the lives and all the "what might have beens".
So completely out of our understanding – isn't it?
Sherry
Aww I miss your mom. We have a running saying around here…is WWLD…what would Lonnie do? She had such a sweet , calming. non judgemental attitude toward everything. She made me want to be a better person. (I was thinking of my dad yesterday too, it was his birthday…..and he was also sweet and non judgemental…although in a much louder way lol!!)
LaceyKeigley
You should make some bracelets that say WWLD?
I just discovered an old photo of your dad this week, actually, in an old jewelry box. The kids asked who he was so I told them all about Uncle Tommy.
Isn't time a funny thing?
Rachel
This is beautiful and honest. I wrote a post for Rachel @ The Lazy Christian that will go up on Friday about this song. Well, it's more about could I sing this song, honestly, if something bad were to happen. I think it's awesome you have a father who models The Father for you. I'm sorry about your mom 🙁 I didn't know you four years ago, so … not too late, I hope.
I deboned a chicken Saturday! Prayed for you! I think it's my new "deboning a chicken/pray for Lacey" habit 🙂
LaceyKeigley
Thank you.
I am grateful for my dad too.
And I just love the fact that you pray for me – especially when deboning a chicken. Thank you. What a wonderful compliment to be thought of to make an unfun task an offering to God.
Now, that\’s beautiful.