Mother of Joy
Mother Joanna the giving tree of joy and laughter, singing heavenly anthems
Amplified by everlasting confidence of seeing the Lords goodness in the here after
In the land of the living, she is happier fulfilling her duty sharing her heart
Mother Joanna forever seeking the face of true beauty, which overcomes the dark
Now resides in the temple of the Lord placed upon the highest of rocks
Transformed from an earthy vessel - encounter with the cancer struggle
She remained that faithful servant amidst the torment of war
A constant wrestle between her spirit and flesh with both demanding control
Yet steadfast she endured and stood bold, with a strong hold on the Lord’s word
She knew her bible well– the basic instructions before leaving earth
Now she’s dwells in His tabernacle with Jesus and His mighty castle
For what it’s worth - Parkinson’s had less than no effect on Her Faith
Which remained unshakeable, thus for her weary soul was truly blessed
Oh yes Mother Jo, who shared her cup of Joy with all of her boys and girls
Now rest in Christ Jesus with a peace well dissevered
Mother Joanna who brought Joy and whispers of Heaven
This is a woman beyond measure
Who found treasure in her darkest hour
Yet in the shadow of sorrow she would never complain
Eyes set straight on the face of the brightest tomorrow
She’s now in the arms of the King of Kings
Our lost but Heavens gain, as she currently trains angels to sing
A new song, which only comes from a life of honor
born again out of birth pains of hard trials to holy temples
covered in spiritual garments, she’s now outside of time
dwelling in the place she always wanted
inside the house of the Lord forever in His presence
dancing in His courts we cannot imagine her enjoyment
her only petition to all her children was to share in this atonement
imitating Christ on the cross, holding on for so long only to bring us closer to God
to catch a glimpse at gladness ahead of sadness she moved on from glory to glory
transformed to her original essence, rewarded with Jesus, living the never ending story
as for those left behind who mourn, Matthew 5:4
makes it well known we shall be comforted, standing on God’s holy promises
Similar to Mother Joanna and her accomplishments
our foundation now fully planted and rooted
so how much more should we stand strong
and produce good fruit with works of the spirit that never spoil
how much more should those memories of mother J forever play
vividly as an example on how to conquer every pain
how much more can we pray and worship in spirit and truth
with all of our hearts and minds, emotions and intelligence
God wants 100% from all of us; Mother Joanna was just more committed
More than willing to be first in line, for who else was more divine and heaven sent
It’s time we open our spiritual eyes, for we’ve been blind of this true gift from above
Her last request and final wish was for all of us
To practice the Lord’s commandment – LOVE – period
No if’s ands or buts, she meant unconditional nothing physical
Just a spiritual trust in the Lord seeking after His heart, power and kingdom
Ultimately she left you and me the keys to true freedom
Now how should we use them? Keys that could open the gates of hell
And set prisoners of sin and death free with no regrets
Keys to heaven’s gate and oooooh how long she waited to turn them
Meek and weak yet fearless her eyes discerning all her friends and family
For she knew where she was going, after solving God’s holy mystery
Before thee appointed time of her pardon from misery
She prayed in her garden of Gethsemane, selfless prayers
Blood- sweat – tears – majority of these heartfelt prayers were concerning you and me
Despite her own personal agony, she remained self sacrificing to the end of her days
Always putting others first , forever keeping the faith
Mother Joanna the giving tree, the morning songbird of praise
Full of grace with great wisdom and understanding;
oh watch her soar above the heavens
For her burdens turned in to feathers, and her hair resembled a dream catcher
Her light of salvation shined in psalm 27 as the sunset on the ocean’s side
Manifested her inner blessing - Giving light to each step of Jacobs ladder
Rippled off each wave revealing a perfect pattern of hope that most deny
However Mother Joanna learned the steps to heaven walking on water
Humbling her pride, now we walk behind those impressive footprints
For her spine became the spine of Jesus, her tears became valuable elements
Her smile mirrored her heart in God’s hand, each gesture became priceless moments
Her blessing bestowed so much joy upon all her children, you can’t help but notice
Her stubborn love would never budge stead fast in a pulpit of the gospel of peace
For she was in the center of God’s heart the joy of His eye
This is why he called her back home in the middle of the night.
In the middle of the year of 2008 two times infinity 2 times as great
Make no mistake this was His appointed time, 8pm the angels came in
It was almost midnight, 4 hours to go 4 hours of darkness, 4 days in tomb
Like the fate of Lazarus gone too soon, but she knew the author of salvation
Opening July redefining freedom, removing all stone hearts
After 4 days hear a great shout Joanna come out
into independence with a deeper faith
For she truly lived it, so let us imitate her ways and celebrate her race
For she went the distance with no complaints, emptied herself, all sins erased
To be reshaped in His image, to witness the glory of His riches, to listen to forgiveness
To hear the master’s words, saying well done faithful servant your work is now finish
To rest in Jesus the prince of peace was her comfort, our vision
Her whole life was a testimony, to seek the king, and His coming kingdom
And we were all just abundantly blessed to have her in our corner singing
For her friendship, for her deep strength, for her guidance, the list is endless
So don’t cry for her church, beloved family rejoice and be glad
In the re-birth of Joan , for the fireworks of His plan
For the glory in which she now stands
AMEN


By Oddie Sloan and the Holy Spirit