24 April 2013

Giving account

Henri Nouwen once wrote:

When we live our lives as missions, we become aware that there is a home from where we are sent and to where we have to return.  We start thinking about ourselves as people who are in a faraway country to bring a message or work on a project, but only for a certain amount of time.  When the message has been delivered and the project is finished, we want to return home to give an account of our mission and to rest from our labours.

We were your mission, Mom
a project you began in your heart
long before we drew our first breaths
 
You gave yourself for our wellbeing
teaching us to throw ourselves into life
with passion, with dignity,
with respect and love for others

this was the example that you set
to find joy
to grab each moment
 
your primary ambition was to see us settled
"I just want you to be happy"
your strong refrain
 
You have finished the race
completed the task
the labour is done
the prize won
 
May your rest be sweet

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

S. Etole said...

So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful mother.

diana said...

A beautiful tribute, Karin. Thank you for sharing it here. Praying for you as you walk this road.

Jason Stasyszen said...

Praying God surrounds you and your family with His comfort, hope, and presence in this time of mourning. Beautiful quote and beautiful tribute. Thanks Karin.

Leslie said...

your tribute to your beautiful mother brought tears to my eyes... may you be comforted in your sorrow.