Never gets any easier

Sunset, Boca Ciega Bay 22 Nov 2021. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.

We will be heading to the airport in a few hours to return to PA after spending the week with my mom for Thanksgiving. It never gets any easier to depart from my mom. Even though my mom, God willing, has a flight to come to PA on Dec 10, departing never gets any easier.

Maybe it’s age or life events but this departing impresses on me even more to: A tell people in my sphere of influence how much I love them because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow; B thank God for believers who if I don’t see again in this life, I will see in heaven; C share Jesus with urgency as I may not see them again.

Life is precious. Relationships while messy and painful are a gift. As the Christmas season has descended on us yet again, may we remember Jesus. May we remember who He is and what He has done. May we remember this life never gets any easier; therefore, cling to Jesus, share Him and enjoy time with others while we are still here.

Lord God, thank You and praise You for time with my mom, Nathan and PQ. Thank You Lord for the gift of family. Lord God, as new variants emerge, may we cling to You, may we hold onto You knowing that You NEVER change. You are constant; You are stable. Lord God, thank You for my mom’s salvation, thank You for Nathan’s salvation, thank You for the salvation of other believers. Thank You Lord for my salvation. Lord God, for the reader who does not know Jesus, Lord may today be the day of repentance and salvation for this reader. Remind us Lord this world is NOT our home. Remind us Lord You do not call us to an easy road, but a narrow road. Lord God, while this life isn’t getting any easier, thank You that we are NOT alone! Thank You Holy Trinity for being our Guide, Light, Path and Help. Lord God, thank You for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

For anyone who is interested, Nathan did dabble in the salt life fishing off my mom’s pier!

Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn

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Blue Collar Theologian

My name is Mandy Sweigart-Quinn, I live in Lancaster, PA and I am a “Blue Collar Theologian.” I love Jesus! I am passionate about His Word (The Holy Bible)! I come alive when I can encourage others in their walk with Jesus (whether by writing or speaking). As a “Blue Collar Theologian” it is my aim to live/practice/work out my Christian hope with sincerity, authenticity and genuineness. As a “Blue Collar Theologian,” I strive to meet people right where they are (“Incarnational Theology”). I graduated in May 2019 from Capital Seminary and Graduate School with a Master's in Biblical Studies. I am a passionate, excited and enthusiastic person! I love flowers, sports and sunsets. Since January 2, 2018 I have had the privilege of being married to Nathan.

39 thoughts on “Never gets any easier”

  2. Although it’s true that ANY time with ANYone could be our last, it’s good that we have rare and special times to remind us of that. My children and I never part company or end a phone call without an “I love you” and a “love you too.” I’m ve heard too many stories of heartsick people whose last words to someone were angry or indifferent, and they assumed they could make it right later. Thank God for every day we have to treasure one another. 💕

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  3. Ah, Mandy! You’ve given us “apples of gold in pictures of silver.” My prayers are with you as you travel home, away from home, towards home, because “this world is NOT our home.” Love you, Mandy, lotsa hugs and kisses sister.

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    1. You are so special to me, Dora!!!! While I will miss the weather, it will be good to be near our church family as well. I look forward to the day we see each other face to face. What a joy that will be to me!!!! Lots of love, hugs and blessings!!!!!

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  4. Hi Mandy, I really sensed your awareness of the impermanence of this life that we currently experience, in your post and prayer. It’s a sobering and appreciative awareness and I felt the same thing this past weekend. Not sure if it was associated with the new Covid19 Omicron variant or not, but it was and is definitely there. I also was and am so thankful for what Jesus has promised us who believe in Him and I was reminded of my own inability to open the hearts and minds of those that I love, who have not yet trusted in Jesus. That sense of urgency accompanied with the knowledge that there are things that I in myself cannot change, both in myself and especially others. But I can pray and that is exactly what I did. I focused on the Word of God that says it is not God’s will that any should perish, so I know God’s will and I lifted those who I love and have or have not yet trusted in Jesus, up to our Father, to ask that they would receive God’s grace and mercy, in their awareness of who Jesus is and what He has done, because we all need God’s grace. Sarah Walton uses a phrase at the end of her posts that says “Home is just around the corner.” That urgency makes me mindful of how short this life here is. Like Annie says, we should indeed treasure all those that we love and care for, because it is so very important. Loved your post and your prayer. Amen, amen and amen. Blessings.

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    1. I am so thankful when God knits His peoples hearts together. You are not alone, Bruce. The prayers of the righteous have power and I am so, so thankful that our Triune God is still listening to our prayers because this world most certainly is not. Thank you for sharing this, Bruce. Love and blessings to you and Peggy!

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  8. Wonderful that you spent thanksgiving with your mum. So true that we never know when is our or their last moment and we should never take the time we have with our loved ones for granted.

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  9. Off your mom’s pier?! Wow! That’s incredible! You male such good points in this post. I recently saw my older sister and her family after more than 2 years apart. We never imagined it would be that long before we saw each other again, and it made me realize how much I had taken past visits with her for granted. I want to live life more like you do–to recognize how special people are to me and to let them know it. I appreciate your wisdom, Mandy, and I appreciate you so much!

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    1. I am SO glad you were able to see your sister for Thanksgiving! I loved what you and Manu are doing in recounting God’s blessings over the past year!!!!!!! I am thankful for you, Colleen! I am thankful for you heart to want to grow in Jesus! You are loved!!!!!

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  10. So glad you guys had a great time with your Mom, Mandy. And great job on the fishing, Nathan! I’m homesick just looking at your pics. So happy for you that you’ll see your mom again very soon. I’ll be praying for safe travels on her behalf. Hope you had a great trip home. 😘

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  11. “It never gets any easier to depart from my mom.” I’m with you sister. I just left my parents home and, as usual, my 91 yr old mother stood at the front door, in her bathrobe, watching us drive away. My only weighty burden is for their souls.
    I truly agree with your A,B,C points to live by. “thank God for believers who if I don’t see again in this life, I will see in heaven” I think this of you and some other WP brethren!
    Thanks for the fab Nathan pics! Nothing like fresh fish!
    Good to hear from you Mandy, you’re in my prayers, with love.

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    1. I am so thankful for you and your love and encouragement toward me! I can totally picture your mama watching y’all drive off. This imagery motivates me to pray for your parents salvation even more!!! I am thankful for you more than you will ever know!!!

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