by Karan Koelling

Mother’s Promise

When I was a child, my mother told me about a personal experience that happened when she was fourteen years old.

She related that she’d been hospitalized for six weeks with a recurrence of rheumatic fever. One day she overheard the doctor inform her father that there was no hope for her recovery.

Later, in the quiet of that hospital room, mother began praying earnestly. She promised God that if He would allow her to live, she would live her life in service to Him.

In time Mom recovered. Although her lungs and heart were damaged, she was able to lead a fairly normal life. She never forgot the promise she’d made in that hospital room. Her faith was a vital part of everyday life.

My earliest memories are of riding in the saddle in front of mother as we rode old Bing after the milk cows. Mom sang hymns as we loped along the cow trail, and soon I was joining in on the refrains.

Every morning after farm chores and a hot breakfast, our family remained at the kitchen table for a time of Bible reading and prayer. This was our spiritual nourishment for the day.

Later, during my adulthood, it was always comforting to know that at 7:30 each morning my parents were praying for God’s “watchful care over Karan and her family.”

Mom’s faith shaped a life of loving service to others. She kept her promise, and I’m forever grateful.

Karan Koelling (c) Feb. 2006 first published in MAMMA SAID, 2006