Throughout the summer and early Fall of 2024, my three brothers and I, along with Mom’s caretakers, determined that she needed 24-hour care. A live-in rotation schedule was planned that included the family and a caregiver. Mother had been managing her daily living routine with caregivers coming each day to assist with meals, medication, housekeeping, socialization, and driving her to appointments, etc. The family assumed those tasks during frequent extended visits.

Mother was 105 years old, but with her cane, she was quite mobile. However, on Sunday, Jan 26, 2025, she experienced a fall. She was rushed to the hospital, and it was determined that she had a broken arm and had other injuries. A week passed, and Mom was transferred to a nursing home. Friends and family came to visit. The nursing staff kept Mom comfortable.

One afternoon, as I walked into the room, Mom asked, “Who’s there?” I replied, “It’s Steve, Mom.” “Oh, Steve,” she said, “who is that young man with you?” I looked around, but no one was there. She said, “Behind you. You don’t see him, do you?” “No, Mom,” I said, “I don’t. Perhaps it is an angel.” Then she told me that she sees them all the time.

I have to say, I was stunned. I have never had such an experience, and I drew no conclusions as to what took place.

But I have thanked God for the peace, love, and comfort he gave my beloved Mother during her journey home. On February 7, 2025, Mother took the hand of Jesus and took her first step into the eternal and beautiful land of light.

Thank you, Father, for speaking to your people through your word and providing peace even as we grieve those whom we have lost. May we have wholesome discernment and in all our ways, may we gain wisdom and be aware of the presence of your holy spirit in our world. Amen.

This devotion was written by Stephen F Hankal and read by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.