“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything.” ~ Tim Keller

Most every day of my life growing up I remember walking into the kitchen, and seeing my mom with her Bible in hand reading, and taking notes. Though she was very quiet in her demeanor, (a true introvert at heart) my dad being the “Larger than Life” personality in the house, she was and is one of the strongest women I know! She built a very successful business in direct sales, and spoke in front of thousands of people in spite of her shyness. She stayed faithfully married to my dad even though his alcoholic behavior caused her so much pain. She was never the first to speak up, and when she did speak, you had to ask her to speak up in order to hear what she was saying. She wasn’t a fan of going to new places, trying new things, or meeting people she didn’t know, especially by herself. She was a master at writing encouraging cards to people, and she had a leadership style of literally loving people to success!

As Alzheimer’s Disease has stolen more and more of the mom I once knew, I have been amazed at some of the new ways I’ve come to know my mom. The nurses at the memory care center where she lives refer to her as “Their Social Butterfly”. Wait . . . What??? My mom has been referred to, and known for a Lot of things, but “Social Butterfly” is Not one of them! Yet, they tell me how she loves to get dressed up and go to the dining room for her meals rather than just sit in her room and eat. She speaks to everyone in the hallways as she passes, and tries to speak to those in the dining room. When I talk with her on the phone, or go to visit her in the courtyard, she chatters like a magpie, albeit none of it makes sense. She even attends the social gatherings by herself to paint, or whatever the activity may be. When I stand to leave I hear the ONLY sentence that still makes sense, I say “Momma I love you”, and she replies “I love you too!”

I miss being able to tell her how I’m feeling, and feel her soft hand embrace mine while she reassures me with something she just read from the Bible or one of her many Devotionals that day. I miss her handwritten cards sent for no other reason except to congratulate, cheer, or encourage me. I miss the Momma that I knew, but as I read this today in my quiet time (something my mom instilled in me from the time I was a little girl) my spirit was uplifted. 1Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. You see as much as I think I know my mom, God fully knows her, and loves her infinitely more than I ever could!

As the years pass, more and more of my “Loved Ones” have, and will go on to meet their Savior face to face. It makes me long for my Heavenly home even more, and the great reunion that will take place. Not just to be with those I love again, but to look into the face of Love! Looking at Jesus’ face, and fully knowing I don’t have to (hide, disguise, deny, try, or pretend to be something I’m not), because He fully knows me, and truly loves me! Yes, death stings this side of Heaven, but I keep the above photo of my mom on my desk to remind me of God’s promise: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelations 21:4.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder no matter how much pain, sorrow, or suffering we may be going through right now – – This is NOT our home! When we meet you face to face, then we will fully know the indescribable joy of being fully known, and truly loved.