“But Jesus, why did you tarry for three days? Didn’t you know your friend and our brother, Lazarus, would die if you prolonged coming?” Mary and Martha asked Jesus these questions. As I sit, gathered with family in this small room long into the night waiting for Nell, my mother-in-law of forty years to die, I have asked God why He tarries. It seems cruel to watch her linger these three days. She is sleeping quietly, only opening her eyes occasionally with a deep blank stare; sedated as to ease the pain of death.
I have asked God to be gracious and take her, just to be reminded that “there is appointed unto man [woman] a time to die.” So, even our death is according to God’s time table and not ours. Psalm 31:15a says, “Our times are in His hand.”But why must we wait, why must He tarry? Certainly the waiting isn’t because her mansion is not ready and a delay is necessary in order for God to finish the decorating. That can’t be! His word tells us that He has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us. So, Nell’s mansion has been complete, fully decorated, and waiting for her to occupy for quite some time. Having been a homemaker for years that has to be good news for her!
Perhaps the time of waiting is because He is granting us grace in allowing us just a little more time. Jesus had his reasons for not coming as soon as Mary and Martha summoned Him. He wanted His glory revealed through the miracle he was about to perform, a miracle of deliverance, and that deliverance was like no other, a deliverance from the grave.
Over these many hours, we’ve had time to reflect and remember a life well lived. We have laughed and cried together. We have prayed hand-in-hand circled around Nell’s bed. What a sweet time as we have lingered, waiting for God’s timing in calling her home. Maybe, just maybe, God has tarried in order that as we sit and reflect, we realize all that she has accomplished, all she was and is, and what she gave her life to was for His glory!
She accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age, she married her college sweetheart and surrendered to the call on his life to shepherd God’s flock. Standing with him in his call to ministry, she invested her life in family, church, and her students; having taught hundreds of young girls how to be homemakers. What glory the Father has received through the faithful life she has lived.
As we sit and wait for her last and final breath, the verse from 1 Corinthians 15:53-58 comes to mind, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and the mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Charles Stanley says of these verses, “Our work for God has value and meaning for two reasons, because God is the One behind it, empowering us through His spirit and because of His promise to reward us incredibly well for our faithful service.”
Nell’s work for God was empowered by His spirit that dwelled within her and she has been faithful, therefore she will receive the wonderful reward God promises. In my Bible the heading above these verses in 1 Corinthians 15 reads, “Our Final Victory.” Nell’s victory is soon to come, until then we wait as He tarries. A miracle of deliverance is about to happen! To God be all the Glory!
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
Dianne
Nell Marie Dougharty went home to be with the Lord Sunday March 17, 2013.