I didn’t realize how rare a treasure I had growing up. I’m sure all grow up thinking our parents are just like everyone else’s, but Mom was special. She didn’t care about being anything special to the world. As long as I can remember, all mom ever wanted to be was a mother and a wife and raise her children in the ways of the Lord.

Mom was a preacher’s kid. I grew up hearing stories of revivals, people being saved, the presence of God, and how people flocked to her house to have my grandpa, Reverend Jim “Mutt” Nunley pray for them or their sick children. Mom was raised to live for the Lord, and after she grew up, living for God was all she ever wanted. Once she got saved, she did just that. She dedicated her life to the Lord and lived it in front of all of us.

As a kid, I would come in the house to get something to drink or eat and wonder where mom was. I’ve heard children coming into their homes and catching their parents doing things they shouldn’t, but many times I came in either hearing mom sing and worship while she was cleaning, or I would run in the back where mom and dad’s bedroom was and catch her down on her knees praying.

There was never a lack of love in our home. Dad loved us but was like a drill sergeant and all three of us children had to walk the line, but mom make up what dad did not show. Dad showed us all love in his own way, but mom’s arms was where you wanted to run to in order to get that comfort you needed.

Mom wasn’t ashamed of Jesus. The last few months of her life she proved to all of us how honored she was to be saved and to be a child of God. In the last months, while I would lean up to hug mom and tell her I loved her, she would whisper this question to me, “You’re not praying for me to stay here are you?” I would reluctantly admit, “Yes mom I am.” She would say, “please don’t pray for that…I want to go home.”

Today is Mom’s Birthday. She would have been 83 years old today, but I can’t imagine how today must have been in Heaven for her. Her first Birthday in Heaven.

I just wanted to take a few minutes and tell all of you to not take today for granted. Your loved ones will not always be with you. There will come a day when they won’t be around any longer, but we have a blessed hope that, if they knew Jesus, we will see them again in Heaven.

On November 18th, 2024, Heaven gained a rare jewel and I’m so thankful to the Good Lord that mom is no longer suffering. Mom may not have gotten much recognition down here. She may not have made headlines or accomplished things for the world to applaud, but she succeeded in what she determined to do. She intended to live for God, be a great mother and a wonderful wife.

I’d say she accomplished her goal!

Congratulations mom! You Won! Your race is run! You’re finally home where you wanted to be! Well done!

We are right behind you and by the grace of God, we will see you soon!