One Last Promise
I can still vividly picture the day.
Jane was sitting with her back to me near the end of the hallway in what I affectionately called her "semi" wheelchair because of its large and looming size. The wheelchair held Jane in a reclining position in order to keep her rigid body securely in place. The nurses had positioned Jane's wheelchair alongside the wall just outside of her room. Jane's head was slumped to the side and she appeared to be sleeping. I went into Jane's room, picked up her Bible and a side chair and carried them out into the hallway. Jane's health wasn't good from the day I met her, but now it was rapidly declining. I knew her time left on this earth was short.
I placed the side chair directly in front of Jane's wheelchair. I sat down and leaned in close.
"Good morning Jane."
No response.
"How are you feeling today Jane?"
No response.
I carried on a one-sided conversation for a few more minutes and then I opened her Bible and began to read to her. Psalm 1. Psalm 8. Psalm 124–126. Psalm 139 and other Psalms. Jane's eyes were closed the entire time. There was no indication she was even aware someone was near or reading to her. Because I felt Jane's days left on this earth were waning, I decided to read Jeremiah 29:11–14 - "I know the plans I have for you...." to her. I wanted Jane to feel comfort and the reassurance of God's plan for her life as she faced her final journey.
I finished reading and slowly started to close her Bible—and then Jane spoke. In a soft but clear voice Jane said, "Jeremiah 33." I was shocked to hear her speak. Jane asked whether I had memorized Psalm 1 in early January and shortly after that had said "precious promise" after I read Psalm 121 to her, but otherwise, there had been no verbal communication since she asked me to read Isaiah 30 in the fall of 2007.
I must admit, my heart was pounding as I opened Jane's Bible back up and turned the pages to Jeremiah 33. Does God have another message for us? I began to read. One last promise! A promise of assurance and restoration! Jeremiah was still locked up in the courtyard of the guard, but God was promising restoration to His people.
We are still locked up. The lawsuit my sister and brother-in-law filed (and our fate) is still "locked up" and pending in the legal court system. Remarkably, God chose to send us one last promise. A message of hope, assurance and promised restoration. Amazing. I laid Jane's Bible in my lap. I took both her
hands in mine and I began to pray. With tears in my eyes, I thanked God
for allowing our winding paths to cross. I thanked Him for Jane's life and how He divinely used her words to speak to us. I thanked Him for the
privilege of reading His Word to His faithful servant for the past sixteen months. Then I
concluded my prayer by asking God to surround Jane with His love, and
that like Elisha of old, she would be able to see the angels surrounding
her. When I finished praying, Jane tried to pray. Puh ... Puh ... Puh. After many repeated attempts, Jane got out three words. "Puh ... Puh ... Puh ... Praise the LORD."
Everything had come full circle. The first scripture Jane told me to read was Psalm 150—line by line an entire Psalm of praise. And now, after asking me to read a chapter about hope, assurance, and restoration, Jane's last prayer and her last words to me were: "Praise the LORD." Of everything Jane taught us, the most important and the most impactful on our lives was our brand-new understanding of the importance of Praise—the concept of praising the LORD for who He is. Everything else falls into place when we spend our lives first and foremost praising the LORD.
On my way home, I called my husband to tell him what had just happened. Restoration! I also called our daughter. She said, "What if Jane meant for you to read Jeremiah 30 verse 3?" So, I looked it up. "The days will come when I will bring Israel and Judah back from captivity,' says the LORD. 'I will return them to the land I gave their ancestors, and they will own it!' says the LORD." The exact same message as Jeremiah 33—The Promise of Restoration!
A few hours after I returned home, I received a phone call from someone at the nursing home. Jane was dying ... could I come in? With my heart pounding, I jumped in the car and took off. I called my husband on the way so I could tell him what was happening. I arrived at the nursing home and rushed down the hallway to Jane's room. She was still alive! Jane's POA was already there. She sat on one side of the bed holding one of Jane's hands. I sat on the other side of the bed holding Jane's other hand. Jane was extremely weak, but Jane raised her POA's hand, and she raised my hand, and she slowly moved our hands together over her body. Jane's POA asked her, "Are you trying to bring us together?" Jane nodded her head as if to say—Yes. I knew Jane had a POA but I had never met her. Jane's POA knew someone came to see Jane every week, but had no idea who the person was or the story behind it. We sat on either side of Jane's bed and talked all night.
As we talked, I told her our story and Jane's impact on our lives. With tears in her eyes she said, "Now I know why." She went on to explain that in early 2007, Jane was put under the care of Hospice. This would have been just shortly after I first met Jane. Everyone at the nursing home thought Jane was dying. During the time Jane was in Hospice, she developed a bladder infection and Hospice made the decision to not treat the infection. Jane's POA explained that for some unknown reason, she strongly felt she needed to remove Jane from Hospice so she could be treated for the infection ... and that is what she did. After hearing our story and with tears running down her cheeks she said, "Now I know why."
You have to understand, it would have been so much easier (and understandable) for Jane's POA to have just let the infection go untreated. She shared with me how she had often resented Jane's Pennsylvania family for not taking Jane in. And here this dear lady was, just someone Jane worked with at World Missionary Press, carrying the weight and burden of being Jane's Power of Attorney for years! It would have been so much easier for her to just be done with this "job" and let Jane die. But she knew! She didn't know why, but she knew she had to do whatever was necessary to allow Jane to live ... and here was the "why" sitting across from her and Jane was bringing our hands together. (I never thought about this before, but imagine from Jane's perspective lying there and being able to listen and witness how God's hand was leading and directing your life even though you were elderly, alone, and in a nursing home. There is one thing I absolutely KNOW! I am absolutely sure Jane was praising the LORD while listening to us talk.)
The next morning I called Jane's adopted cousin/sister in Pennsylvania to let her know Jane was dying. She immediately made plans to fly out. I picked her up at the airport and she stayed in our home. Jane's adopted sister got to spend several days by Jane's bedside. I'm so grateful Jane lived long enough to get to feel the presence of her family beside her and Jane's adopted sister got to once again see her sister and say the things she wanted to say before Jane passed. When Jane's POA met Jane's sister, her long held resentment towards Jane's PA family vanished. I really enjoyed meeting Jane's sister. What a special time listening to her tell stories of Jane's younger years, their hikes on the Appalachian Trail, and her fond memories of her older sister and mother figure.
Jane lived for one week. Many precious memories were made during that week. I remember one night as Jane's POA and I were standing on one side of the bed and my husband was standing on the other side. Jane kept looking at my husband, then looking upward. She lifted her hand, pointing upward and said, "Up! Up!" It was as if she was seeing a glimpse of heaven and wanted to make sure he saw it as well. Another time it was just Jane and I alone together in her room. It was late in the afternoon. I decided to sing some of the great and timeless old hymns to her. I was having difficulty remembering all the words so I went in search of a hymnal and found one on the piano in the cafeteria. As I was singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness," I looked over at Jane and her lips were moving in perfect timing while silently "singing":
The night before Jane died, her adopted sister and I were once again both in her room. Her sister was standing at the foot of the bed. I was on the left side of the bed holding Jane's hand. Jane had not responded to anything in several days. I thanked Jane for all she taught me. I told her how much I loved her, and I told her good-bye. And then Jane clearly mouthed the words—"Good-Bye." I said, "Did you see that? Jane just said 'Good-bye.' " Her sister came to the side of the bed. I told Jane once again how much I loved her and I thanked her again for all she had taught me. I said, "Good-bye, Jane" and once again Jane clearly said the words—"Good-Bye."
Jane's sister's flight left the next morning. We stopped by the nursing home for one last visit on our way to the airport. An oxygen mask now covered Jane's mouth. Her breathing was rapid and shallow. Jane was now in the final active stage of dying. I believe she was in a coma. Jane's sister said her final good-byes. I again told Jane how much I loved her and then we reluctantly left Jane's bedside. The nursing home called just shortly after we arrived at the airport. Jane passed to her eternal home on the morning of 5/6/08, just minutes after her adopted sister and I left her side.
The journey home. Jane was now safely in the arms of the Savior she loved and so faithfully served throughout her entire life. Jane faithfully followed God's winding footpath to its final destination. Her last God-given mission was complete. One last promise was given. ALL for His greater purpose.
You're home, Jane. You're home. Praise the LORD. It was a privilege and honor to walk with you on your final journey to your eternal home.
Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you mighty and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jane taught me many things in the short time I knew her, but by far the most important thing she taught me was how to live your life in PRAISE to God every day—no matter what your life circumstances may be. She also taught me about availability and the need to surrender our lives to Christ daily. We are never too old or too ill to be used by God. God used Jane's spiritual gifts of encouragement and mercy until the very end. Until our last breath, He can use us to bring honor and glory to Him.
Everything had come full circle. The first scripture Jane told me to read was Psalm 150—line by line an entire Psalm of praise. And now, after asking me to read a chapter about hope, assurance, and restoration, Jane's last prayer and her last words to me were: "Praise the LORD." Of everything Jane taught us, the most important and the most impactful on our lives was our brand-new understanding of the importance of Praise—the concept of praising the LORD for who He is. Everything else falls into place when we spend our lives first and foremost praising the LORD.
On my way home, I called my husband to tell him what had just happened. Restoration! I also called our daughter. She said, "What if Jane meant for you to read Jeremiah 30 verse 3?" So, I looked it up. "The days will come when I will bring Israel and Judah back from captivity,' says the LORD. 'I will return them to the land I gave their ancestors, and they will own it!' says the LORD." The exact same message as Jeremiah 33—The Promise of Restoration!
A few hours after I returned home, I received a phone call from someone at the nursing home. Jane was dying ... could I come in? With my heart pounding, I jumped in the car and took off. I called my husband on the way so I could tell him what was happening. I arrived at the nursing home and rushed down the hallway to Jane's room. She was still alive! Jane's POA was already there. She sat on one side of the bed holding one of Jane's hands. I sat on the other side of the bed holding Jane's other hand. Jane was extremely weak, but Jane raised her POA's hand, and she raised my hand, and she slowly moved our hands together over her body. Jane's POA asked her, "Are you trying to bring us together?" Jane nodded her head as if to say—Yes. I knew Jane had a POA but I had never met her. Jane's POA knew someone came to see Jane every week, but had no idea who the person was or the story behind it. We sat on either side of Jane's bed and talked all night.
As we talked, I told her our story and Jane's impact on our lives. With tears in her eyes she said, "Now I know why." She went on to explain that in early 2007, Jane was put under the care of Hospice. This would have been just shortly after I first met Jane. Everyone at the nursing home thought Jane was dying. During the time Jane was in Hospice, she developed a bladder infection and Hospice made the decision to not treat the infection. Jane's POA explained that for some unknown reason, she strongly felt she needed to remove Jane from Hospice so she could be treated for the infection ... and that is what she did. After hearing our story and with tears running down her cheeks she said, "Now I know why."
You have to understand, it would have been so much easier (and understandable) for Jane's POA to have just let the infection go untreated. She shared with me how she had often resented Jane's Pennsylvania family for not taking Jane in. And here this dear lady was, just someone Jane worked with at World Missionary Press, carrying the weight and burden of being Jane's Power of Attorney for years! It would have been so much easier for her to just be done with this "job" and let Jane die. But she knew! She didn't know why, but she knew she had to do whatever was necessary to allow Jane to live ... and here was the "why" sitting across from her and Jane was bringing our hands together. (I never thought about this before, but imagine from Jane's perspective lying there and being able to listen and witness how God's hand was leading and directing your life even though you were elderly, alone, and in a nursing home. There is one thing I absolutely KNOW! I am absolutely sure Jane was praising the LORD while listening to us talk.)
The next morning I called Jane's adopted cousin/sister in Pennsylvania to let her know Jane was dying. She immediately made plans to fly out. I picked her up at the airport and she stayed in our home. Jane's adopted sister got to spend several days by Jane's bedside. I'm so grateful Jane lived long enough to get to feel the presence of her family beside her and Jane's adopted sister got to once again see her sister and say the things she wanted to say before Jane passed. When Jane's POA met Jane's sister, her long held resentment towards Jane's PA family vanished. I really enjoyed meeting Jane's sister. What a special time listening to her tell stories of Jane's younger years, their hikes on the Appalachian Trail, and her fond memories of her older sister and mother figure.
Jane lived for one week. Many precious memories were made during that week. I remember one night as Jane's POA and I were standing on one side of the bed and my husband was standing on the other side. Jane kept looking at my husband, then looking upward. She lifted her hand, pointing upward and said, "Up! Up!" It was as if she was seeing a glimpse of heaven and wanted to make sure he saw it as well. Another time it was just Jane and I alone together in her room. It was late in the afternoon. I decided to sing some of the great and timeless old hymns to her. I was having difficulty remembering all the words so I went in search of a hymnal and found one on the piano in the cafeteria. As I was singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness," I looked over at Jane and her lips were moving in perfect timing while silently "singing":
"Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; Great is thy faithfulness LORD unto me."Incredible. Jane was too weak to speak but she was moving her lips in perfect timing to "sing" praises to her LORD and Savior.
The night before Jane died, her adopted sister and I were once again both in her room. Her sister was standing at the foot of the bed. I was on the left side of the bed holding Jane's hand. Jane had not responded to anything in several days. I thanked Jane for all she taught me. I told her how much I loved her, and I told her good-bye. And then Jane clearly mouthed the words—"Good-Bye." I said, "Did you see that? Jane just said 'Good-bye.' " Her sister came to the side of the bed. I told Jane once again how much I loved her and I thanked her again for all she had taught me. I said, "Good-bye, Jane" and once again Jane clearly said the words—"Good-Bye."
Jane's sister's flight left the next morning. We stopped by the nursing home for one last visit on our way to the airport. An oxygen mask now covered Jane's mouth. Her breathing was rapid and shallow. Jane was now in the final active stage of dying. I believe she was in a coma. Jane's sister said her final good-byes. I again told Jane how much I loved her and then we reluctantly left Jane's bedside. The nursing home called just shortly after we arrived at the airport. Jane passed to her eternal home on the morning of 5/6/08, just minutes after her adopted sister and I left her side.
The journey home. Jane was now safely in the arms of the Savior she loved and so faithfully served throughout her entire life. Jane faithfully followed God's winding footpath to its final destination. Her last God-given mission was complete. One last promise was given. ALL for His greater purpose.
You're home, Jane. You're home. Praise the LORD. It was a privilege and honor to walk with you on your final journey to your eternal home.
Jane Elizabeth Wolfe
March 24, 1919 – May 06, 2008
March 24, 1919 – May 06, 2008
Jane's Life Verse: Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye."
Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you mighty and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jane taught me many things in the short time I knew her, but by far the most important thing she taught me was how to live your life in PRAISE to God every day—no matter what your life circumstances may be. She also taught me about availability and the need to surrender our lives to Christ daily. We are never too old or too ill to be used by God. God used Jane's spiritual gifts of encouragement and mercy until the very end. Until our last breath, He can use us to bring honor and glory to Him.
There are no limits to God's amazing Grace and His blessings are boundless when we are available and completely surrendered to Him.
PRAISE the LORD! HE alone is worthy of our PRAISE!
Next Entry: A Legacy Lives On
*****
A True Story of God's Faithfulness
The Amazing Story
The Sovereign Hand of God
Her Name Was Jane
HIS Story Begins
A God-Ordained Divine Appointment
Our Winding Paths
God's Scripted Plan
For Such A Time As This
HIS Greater Purpose
The Journey Home
One Last Promise
A Legacy Lives On
HIS Story Continues
A Story to Tell
It's All About HIM
Walking by Faith
It's All About the Journey
Following HIS Footpath
HIS Great Faithfulness
Jane's God-Given Words
God-Ordained and Holy Spirit Inspired
The Proof Came—AFTER
"You Are Free to Go"
The Path to Salvation
The Reward is Eternal Life
The Sovereign Hand of God
Her Name Was Jane
HIS Story Begins
A God-Ordained Divine Appointment
Our Winding Paths
God's Scripted Plan
For Such A Time As This
HIS Greater Purpose
The Journey Home
One Last Promise
A Legacy Lives On
HIS Story Continues
A Story to Tell
It's All About HIM
Walking by Faith
It's All About the Journey
Following HIS Footpath
HIS Great Faithfulness
Jane's God-Given Words
God-Ordained and Holy Spirit Inspired
The Proof Came—AFTER
"You Are Free to Go"
The Path to Salvation
The Reward is Eternal Life
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