One of my favorite things to do each day was to call my Mom in the morning and say: “Boker tov, Ema”– Good morning, Mother. Ema, (pronounced with a long “e”) jovially repeated ‘Boker tov’ back to me. It is a sweet and tender greeting. Word history is fascinating. Their origin along with the deeper meanings often shed new light to words otherwise used casually. Unpacking the letters that form the Hebrew word for mother or ’ema’, reveals several descriptors. The first letter, aleph, represents ‘a strong leader’ and ‘God the Father.’ The other letter, mem, means ‘waters,’ which can be life-giving or destructive. When the meanings of the letters are combined, they produce ‘strong leader and water’…or ‘strong water-giver.’ Isn’t that cool? Strong water-giver beautifully describes our Ema.
All life comes from God and God designed only women to bring life into existence. The baby grows in fluid in the mother’s womb, which is like a maternal water park. Life is nurtured in the water and continues after birth through the mother’s milk. God reveals Himself through the creation of life. Jesus, the giver and sustainer of all life, who was with the Father in the beginning (John 17:4-6), gives life-giving water to all who thirst (John 4:13-14). How precious and sacred it is that God brings human life through the life-giving water of a woman’s womb. Strength and water. Water is needed to be a mother, but remember, water can be either life sustaining or destroying. It is water combined with strength that is necessary to be a good mother.
As a mother of a teenage son, I recognize that strength is needed through every phase of motherhood. The strength to be a good mom comes from the living water offered by Jesus who tells us to give our burdens to Him because His yoke is light…He will carry ours (Matthew 11:28-30). Even when our children become adults and have babies of their own, the strength and water-giving nurturing abilities of a mother do not end. I see this lived out beautifully by my sister and sister-in-law.
We are thankful for our Ema, who weathered our storms, even well into adulthood. I must confess, zeal and passion for the things of God often comes through like a tsunami. I’m grateful for the many conversations with Ema and my husband that have helped calm the seas, steady the climb to the hill’s crest, and abandon trying to win debates in favor of winning hearts.
Of the many seasons of life our sweet Mom has lived through, she endured her last one as a relentless and murderous disease raged through her petite body. Eleven months ago, she was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic cancer that had spread to numerous places. God blessed her with many good days after the terrible news. She exhibited a beautiful transcending peace (Philippians 4:6-7), accepted her diagnosis, knowing her time on this side of glory was soon running out. Her strength and living water continued to flow. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; and she laughs without fear of the future.” (Proverbs 31:25)
Most importantly, Ema knew without hesitation that her very last breath on earth would be completed in the presence of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. Praise God! Her confidence and gratitude shouted to the world, its powers and principalities, that it was well with her soul for she was irrevocably sealed in Jesus. Our hearts swell with joy, knowing that she was dearly loved by her pastor and her church, that she studied God’s Word through reading and video teachings and spent time with the Lord in prayer and constant conversation. She was indeed a prayer warrior for her daughters, grandsons and their families and countless others who crossed her path. We did not want to lose our sweet Ema, yet knowing that we have to let go, the sting is lessened because of the One who conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:55). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the first fruits of creation and because He lives, so will all who have put their trust in Him (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
We have heard it often said that we are not guaranteed a tomorrow. Plant seeds or perhaps water what has already been planted so that we are all together in the Heavenly Kingdom. Nothing is more important and Bonnie knew that and wanted this message shared with you all.
We love you dear Bonnie and blessed Ema. Thank you for being our strong water-giver. We give thanks that your remaining time was filled with peace, love and the overwhelming comfort from the presence of the Almighty and those he sent to spend time with you. Your days in this chapter has ended, but we will be with you one day in the next glorious eternal chapter with our heavenly Abba Father. No tears, no suffering, only joy. Our merciful and loving God is so good! Shalom.
Beautiful 🥲