My deepest condolences, Colleen and Sheila, for the loss of your Mother (my Aunt Gerry).
She's not lost, though, but has been "found!"
Sheila said her Mom had been calling on Jesus in her final days. God's word says "whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), Jesus says "the Kingdom of Heaven is like," and then describes how the dayworkers who showed up later in the day - even those who showed up near the end of the day - received the same payment as those who started in the morning. The latter thought they deserved more, but the landowner said "I want to give the one who was hired LAST the same as I gave you... because I am generous." Those who accepted the Landowner's offer of employment in his vineyard (getting their names written on the payroll) each received the same payment, regardless of when they started.
Spiritually speaking, the meaning of the Parable is that anyone who accepts God's offer and conditions of His Kingdom receives the same payment regardless of how late they were "hired" - salvation (their sins are forgiven and their names have been written in the Lamb's Book of Life).
Since Jesus also said "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16), Sheila agreed to baptize her Mother (with sprinkled water) while I spoke the invocation via a video-call from Florida at about 2:30 pm on Sunday, 8/7/22 (approximately 4½ hours before Aunt Gerry passed into the arms of her Savior).
Colleen, who held the cell phone as Sheila baptized their Mother, also witnessed this blessed and spiritual event (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27).
I am SO grateful that God arranged for us to do this for her! Three days prior, on Aug. 4th, Sheila attempted to video-call me with her Mother, but I was out celebrating my Sister's birthday that night (Carol, who passed away about three months ago) with some mutual friends who had birthdays the same week. When I texted her later that night, Sheila said that her Mom was "not good; could be any time now. I texted a prayer for strength for Sheila and a couple of prayers on behalf of Aunt Gerry for God to forgive her sins and to receive her into the Kingdom of His risen Son, but in hindsight, regretted not video-calling them back that night.
In God's Divine Mercy and Sovereign timing, though, He allowed - perhaps arranged; definitely inspired - us to baptize her 3 days later (With Colleen participating, who wasn't there when Sheila attempted to video-call me on that Thursday three days prior, though she was there Friday thru Sunday. The Lord had waited on my Aunt Gerry (Matthew 20:14b, 16); perhaps He was waiting on me?)! Again, I'm SO GRATEFUL! Thank You, my Lord!
I'm reminded of the Scripture in 2 Peter 3:9, which says: "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness [though we can be; at least I was]. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (me, Aunt Gerry, and, yes, YOU!).
Geraldine Weller is now "... absent from the body, ... present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8).
All praise and glory to God!!!
Love you Colleen and Sheila!
Jack
~ John Hayes West Palm Beach, FL
8/11/2022 11:00:20 PM