Irene stirred in her hospital bed, lifted her eyes to meet mine, and smiled. “I knew you would come,” she said. I took her frail hand in mine and battled the onslaught of emotions.
“I came as soon as Mom called.”
This beautiful lady was one of the first people on earth to care for me—to hold and comfort me. Throughout my life, she remained devoted to ensuring that my heart overflowed with the knowledge that I was loved.
As a child, I was certain Irene was an angel. Now she was only hours from leaving this world—and my life—destined for God’s eternal kingdom.
“How are you feeling?” I asked as I caressed her hand.
She smiled despite the pain. “I’m fine.” Then she leaned her head toward mine and gazed deeply into my eyes. “How are you?” was her reply.
How am I? How is it that you can continue to astound me with the depth of your love? You’re dying, and you ask me how I am!
Selflessly Devoted
Irene’s devotion reminded me of our dear Lord’s devotion to His mother as He hung on the cross.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26–27)
Jesus Christ, the holy Son of God and second person of the Trinity, hung on the cross and thought about Mary, His earthly mother. Her husband, Joseph, was gone. She had other sons, but they didn’t yet believe in their oldest (and divine) brother. Dying, yet ever-mindful of the woman who was the first to care for Him on earth, Jesus’ devotion to Mary overwhelmed His anguish and searing pain. In her hour of need, He was devoted to her care—just as He was devoted to ours when He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20).
Because You First Loved Me
Irene was one of the first faces I ever knew. My mother was sick when I was born and was unable to care for me, so a friend suggested she call the baby nurse who’d helped her with her own newborn. That’s when Irene Smith entered our lives. Our family took her into our hearts and adopted her as family. I’ve loved Irene all my life because she first loved me.
I marvel that I’ve been blessed to know the devotion of a woman I once suspected was an angel. Greater still, I marvel that Jesus, the Eternal One, has loved me—loved us—with an everlasting love since before He set the foundations of the earth. He left His heavenly home to live in ours, taking on the form of a helpless baby. He laid aside His rights as God to walk among us as a man. But not just any man. Jesus came as the Son of Man and the Son of God to give His life for us—for all who will believe in Him.
In this time of Advent, as we celebrate the birth of our blessed Savior, let’s ponder Christ’s devotion. May we marvel that Jesus has loved us our whole lives; let’s love Him with all that we are, being fully devoted to Him.
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