Each day when we went to visit her, I sat down beside her and listened to her stories. The moral of every single story was the faithfulness and goodness of God.
Mama Harvey is fighting cancer. Truly fighting it. She talked about the doctors and nurses being amazed at a 90 year old woman doing radiation and fighting back, not giving up. Mama Harvey’s answer to that comment is that “It’s the Jesus in me.”
When talking about her house and how God provided for it years ago, Mama Harvey reminded us how God blesses those who follow him and fully trust him. As a step of faith, she went in to see the realtor to ask about the house with only a little over $1000 in hand... She was basically laughed at by the realtor, but yet somehow God came through and provided a way through friends and family to be able to purchase her home! At the time it had been used as a drug and gang house. It was a disaster. She said that to other people it was nothing, but to her it was a castle. And she truly made it into her castle, a place of safety and love for all who enter.
Mama Harvey told stories of making friends with the gangs on her street and becoming their Mama, just as she became mine this week. She talked to them and purposefully connected with them. Mama Harvey cared for those gang members and loved them in real ways. At one point it was a group of gang members who called 911 for her when she needed to get to the hospital. and were upset when the paramedics took too long. They had become protective of their Mama, knowing how much she loved them. Mama Harvey was able to break down the barriers and shine God’s love in dark places.
As I sat beside Mama Harvey, she rested her hand on my shoulder, smoothing my hair and brushing my shoulder with her hand as she talked. I sat in awe, drinking in the love and absolute trust pouring out of this beautiful woman. Before we left, Mama Harvey told us to go make a difference in the world and to be the change. She called us her children and told us to never forget that she loved us.
It is moments like those at Mama Harvey’s feet this week, that I wish I could bottle up and save forever. The rest of the world and all of its problems and pain faded away, and all that was left was the sweet presence of Jesus shining out of this amazing woman. It filled the space with the deepest love, faith, and a renewed hope. God is still in control. He is faithful and his love knows no boundaries, no limits. Thank you, Mama Harvey, for shining your light so brightly. I am proud to be one of your children.