I got to thinking this past week about my mom. She would have been 63 yesterday.

My brother’s 10th anniversary was on Tuesday. They got married in a large room down the hall from mom’s room in the hospital, because we knew, barring some super-amazing miracle, she was going home to Jesus. The hospital staff was amazing, clearing the room and helping with decorating and some of the food. (A celebration of love and life is probably very welcome in that ward!)

10 years later, my brother and his wife have a house, some pets, and two rambunctious and adorable boys (the oldest starting Kindergarten this month.)

I think about that mom got to see me start teaching in Special Education (self-contained autism classroom), but she missed my then going on to get a masters in education and teaching 7th Grade Algebra and later some courses at Grand Canyon University (GCU).

She missed that I not only grew to enjoy coffee but become a barista and business owner.

She missed when I entered paid ministry as a Youth Pastor (and eventually an elder for my congregation) . Add to that the apologetics speaking I routinely do, including a YouTube channel to go with this blog, and eventually achieving a dream of teaching at a college, specifically Christian Worldview at GCU.

There are many things I know she would have loved to see happen in my life that I wish I could share with her.

But I also remember all the conversations had 10 years ago with people who used to “hate God and religion” but had come to faith or at least became more friendly toward Christianity all because of her. That had been her just 14 years before that. (Take it from one who took a lot of her badgering and questions!)

I remember seeing a church filled to standing room only to celebrate her life and share more of those stories.

I like to think there was so much more she could have done in this world, but I’ve talked with hundreds of those lives God used her to change. I think the fact that I have been used to impact hundreds of lives, and I talk about the role she played in that with many of them.

Do I miss my mom?

Absolutely! Is it everyday? Not anymore. Some days are so busy that I barely have time to remember my own needs! (Youth Pastor/Elders, Worldview instructor, and back in seminary.) But most days she is remembered. Even by friends who barely met her or only talked to her on the phone.

Actually, more often than not, I think about the fun we could have in any moment, how she would have responded to a situation, and – most importantly – the fun we’ll have in eternity.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, ESV

Her legacy definitely continues through many who still praise God because of her life and so many other reasons, and, if not for her, I wouldn’t be here. I thank God for her life and the glory of God that is spread because of her life.

Was she perfect? Absolutely not! But she drew near to God for the last 13 years of her life, and that has made her perfect in Christ’s righteousness.

I long for the day we can praise God together face to face.