A Gift from God

Kate Lynch

In August 2016, I received an unexpected call from my younger brother saying Mum was dying and perhaps only had days to live. All my siblings were enroute to Blenheim.

I stopped what I was doing and booked the last flight from Wellington to Blenheim. A flight due to leave in 2 hours. I was in Palmerston North. What was I doing? Heading to Foxton to buy bull calves. I was wearing overalls, gumboots and driving the farm ute!

I rang my girlfriend, who I was purchasing the calves from, and explained the situation. She replied, call in, I’ll give you a change a clothes and pack you an overnight bag. What friendship, what love. After leaving Foxton, I was increasingly worried that I’d miss the flight and was driving fast. I started to pray, asking God to get me to the plane on time. And God clearly replied “Kate, do what you can control, drive safe. Leave the rest to me”. So I did. I relaxed. I drove safely. The traffic flowed smoothly, every traffic light was green.

I arrived at the airport and ran to my departure gate. It was closed! But God reminded me, ”do what you can control and leave the rest to me”. So I politely explained to the attendant that Mum was dying and I needed to catch this last flight. She checked with the pilot, and yes, the cabin door was still open. She suggested I run. I ran! I boarded the flight and had a very special weekend with Mum, Dad and all my siblings – a rare and beautiful time for us all to be together.

A gift for Mum. A gift from God.