“She went to be with Jesus”

This week marks the twentieth year since my mom passed away. Her 67th birthday was on April 4. She died on April 7. I was the only one in the room with her when she took her last breath. I was living in metro Detroit, and I flew down in the early hours of Tuesday morning. On Wednesday evening I sat in the living room with her as my dad went to his own bed for the first time in a week.

I slept a bit in the chair beside her bed, and I woke up around 7 Thursday morning. I realized we were near the end. About 7:30 that morning she went to be with Jesus.

There are a multitude of things about that day (and that year) that are etched in my mind for the rest of my life. In the first place, Mom was just a little more than a year older than I am when she died. To say that is sobering is an understatement. Especially when you realize that on her 66th birthday we had no idea what was just around the corner. The brain tumor was discovered in July. She was gone the following April.

But I suppose the one thing that stands out the most is the final sentence that I wrote in the second paragraph. “She went to be with Jesus.” What I’m saying is that my Mom did not cease to exist on April 7, 2005. In fact, at her funeral later that week I declared to those present, “Shelby Butler is more alive than she has ever been.” And I still believe that with my whole heart.

In eleven days we will celebrate Easter, Resurrection Sunday. It is a day for dressing up and going to church, for gathering with family, and for reflection and worship. But more than anything it is a day to celebrate God’s ultimate victory over Satan. Jesus is alive, and because He is alive, we can live forever. I hope you believe it. I’ve staked my entire life on it.