As they say in the sports world, “We got the W.” The enemy thought that he got the W (the win), when he manipulated Adam and Eve into sin, causing the downfall of mankind. But God’s sharp, unmatched omnipotence blew that plan away with the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, who always causes us to triumph.

When my mother fell ill with cancer, it greatly jolted my entire family. I felt guilty because I lived thousands of miles away. When I heard that she was hospitalized, on a ventilator, and in a drug-induced coma, I immediately packed my bag and took off. Growing up, seeing her kneeling to pray every night, modeled for us how to humble ourselves in prayer. She was the lifeblood of the family, and she loved us so deeply.

In the hospital, she was wrought with pain, and the tube up her nose distorted her face and made her appear so frighteningly weak and weary. It was heart-wrenching seeing her either struggle to communicate or lifeless from being in a drug-induced comatose state.

Opportunistically, the enemy infiltrated our relationships. We were constantly snapping at each other, pointing fingers about who should have done what.

Weeks later, the hospital staff told us we needed to decide if we were going to keep her on the ventilator or remove her from it to see if she could breathe on her own. They made it clear that the likelihood of her breathing on her own was slim. Oh boy, talk about throwing gasoline on the fire, strife and turmoil became intense between family members. Some wanted to take her off and others did not. My Dad even said he wouldn't be responsible for letting her die by taking her off.

Then an amazing thing happened. The day we agreed to take her off the ventilator, we got an early morning call from the hospital. They said my mother was passing and for us to come to the hospital immediately. We nervously got up and jetted to the hospital. We didn't make it in time to say goodbye and I just dreaded seeing her. Heavy steps entered that hospital room. I looked over at the bed where my mother lay and couldn't believe what I was seeing. My mother looked so incredibly beautiful. I'd never seen my mother look so stunning. She was radiant. She had the look of perfect peace and tranquility, the look of an angel, and it gave us comfort. Her body reflected the transition from suffering to being sweetly coddled by dear Jesus. What a victory. We won.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him (2 Corinthians 2:14 AMP).

I believe my mother was aware of the insane dichotomy dividing the family over taking her off the ventilator and she solved the problem for us. God used her to show us His love and to bring us back together in unity.

When a loved one goes on to be with the Lord, it's their gain. There's no more pain, suffering, tears, or fears. They are triumphing with the King of kings.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4).

We win. We get the W.

For reflection: What event(s) in your life has caused you to doubt that you got the win? Will you reframe that in your heart through your faith in the goodness of God?

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Scripture is quoted from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.