An Unexpected Wake Up Call

In my opinion, the weekend after Thanksgiving (following into the first week of December) was the most difficult period of time in our marriage.  The death of the man that we probably owe everything to shook our worlds up....mine particular.  It was an unexpected wake up call for me...in a bitter sweet sort of way.

The past year of marriage has been quite the challenge.  Not only did I have to get used to my consulting lifestyle, I also had to understand my husband's job and his expectations of me as a wife.  In my effort to figure out my new life, I got comfortable in knowing that God was taking care of everything.  My work kept me away during the week which kept me away from Bible studies and fellowship with my girls.  The  weekends were all I had to catch up on being a home maker which overwhelmed me to the point where I stepped down from Sunday School.  I barely made the time to exercise my faith, but not a day went by without me thanking God or taking a moment to realize all this was a blessing and not my works.

Our wedding, like all weddings, was magical but with a touch of 'extra-ordinary'.  The four years leading up to it was quite the dramatic journey (which I would not wish upon anyone).  But one thing I learned in the process was that God meets us where we are and provides our every need...that has always been His promise.  When both of us where emotionally and physically distant from our parents, God introduced the Mollers into our lives.  They, like every other angel from above, represented God's unconditional love and acceptance with open hearts, arms and home.

Mid 2006, I had just moved to White Plains, and was praying desperately for a good church I can get involved in.  I knew God had big plans for me,  and I was aching to grow in my relationship with God and experience more of this world.  He answered those prayers by allowing me to randomly bump into Mrs. Mollers at Kids Konference on year.  Soon I was helping out with her Sunday School class.  Mr. and Mrs. Mollers, as I first used to call them, soon became Bill and Joanne to me.  I was amazed to see how great ambassadors they were for Christ, and how wonderfully they lived out God's love.  I knew what the Scripture said, but I did not know how to confidently live on God's every promise each day of my life, and it was an eye opener to see them living out their faith.

Our families were against the thought of us dating or wanting to get married.  When everyone refused to give us a chance, the Mollers opened up their home for us.  They were the first to meet my husband and hear us out.  They were the first to acknowledge God's big plans for our lives as a couple and encourage us to keep praying and striving for "the right" God put on our hearts.  They became such a huge part of our lives that my husband decided to call them Mama and Papa Mollers.  And that name stuck.
Mama Mollers played the piano at our wedding, and Papa Mollers prayed over the beginning of our lives as husband and wife.

Papa Mollers passed away on December 2, 2009.  He was 72 years old.  And that was a wake up call for my faith.  Seeing him at the hospital, the day they took him off of life support, was a calming experience for me.  It reassured me that when we live our life solely for Christ, the Father will take care of our every need even until the end.  The Mollers struggled unwaveringly through all the trials in life. They understood it was a test of their faith, and was loyal to their calling despite the many short comings and hardships.  Even cancer could not shake them off their walk with God!!   I  believe, without a doubt, that God honored Pops' faithfulness up until his last breath, and continue to take care of Mom even in her loneliness.  I know everyone will not get the peaceful ending Papa Mollers got, but seeing him at peace was all I needed to rekindle that fire I had within me when they first met me.

I had a hard time grasping the situation and coming to terms with the fact that he would soon leave us.  It was all so quick and I was falling apart. I would cry out of fear, out of guilt, out of sadness, out of doubt and out of hurt.  I already knew what my kids would call them.  I had already made plans for the Mollers to be a third set of grandparents for my children. They would learn so much about art, gardening, wood work and Christ's love from them.  But those were just my plans and it was a bit difficult for me to just let God take control.
From his deathbed, Pops witnessed to me the love God had for His children even in their final hours.  I know I saw a smile on his face even with all the tubes and machines connected to his body.  Standing next to him, Mom witnessed the grace and promises God gave His children even in the most trying of times.  She had every reason to fall apart and be confused. Life as she knew and loved was snatched away from her in a heartbeat. But there she should stood by him proclaiming how wonderful God was through it all.

It is sad when we have to be reminded of the simplest of things in life through the loss of a loved one.  But Papa Mollers' death was no ordinary departure from this earth.  He lived a magnificent life, and had an extra ordinary death.  It was clear at the memorial service that Saturday (December 5th), we were not the only family that was impacted by the Mollers.  Everyone was reminded of how William Mollers was a symbol of love, and a true disciple of Christ.  In his humility he gave everyone a chance, and loved everyone unconditionally. And that is what I was missing this past year....the ability to move past my hurt and love unconditionally, the ability to make a difference in someone regardless of the darts life is throwing at me.

Papa Mollers death was an unexpected wake up call for me......and I hope that someday I can make my Pops even more proud of me than he already is.


Love you much Papa Mollers! missing you terribly.

Mrs. Sgt. P.