Today is an especially emotional one for me. This is not a typical news or feature article, but a more private and personal one I want to share with our readers, friends and family.
When Dodie and I were dating, we went to visit the gravesites of my relatives, including my paternal grandparents at a large cemetery in San Antonio’s southside.
She noticed and gasped when she saw on the tombstone that my grandfather, Jack L. Dennis, was born on September 6th. He was exactly 50 years older than her.
We remarked and noted that my mother, Geraldine Dennis, died on Dodie’s 50th birthday which is also September 6th.
Does that really mean anything? Coincidence? Serendipity? Happenstance?
Numbers, including birthdates, anniversaries, special events have always had significance in our family. In 1986, I began seeing “111” or “1111” VERY FREQUENTLY (that’s another long and complicated story) and eventually approached my parents about it. Both were stunned for specific reasons.
Recall that in 1986, we did not have the Internet at our fingertips so I went to the library and eventually dropped my almost obsession with it.
Years later, when Internet was common, I did find much about the “1111” and serendipity and coincidence phenomenon, but in the end, I found the answers where I should have started years before—In the Bible.
I learned that the word coincidence is used only once in the New Testament, and it was by Jesus Himself in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
In Luke 10:31, Jesus said, “And by a coincidence a certain priest was going down in that way, and having seen him, he passed over on the opposite side.”
I also learned that the word coincidence is translated from the Greek word synkyrian, which is a combination of two words: sun and kurios.
● Sun means “together with”
● Kurious means “supreme in authority.”
So a biblical definition of coincidence would be “what occurs together by God’s providential arrangement of circumstances.”
● My mother lived 25,070 days.
● Today, July 25, 2024, is the 25,070th day since my birth.
No, it is not her birthday, or Mother’s Day. I just felt compelled to write this, not only in thanks to our Almighty God, but as a loving tribute to my mother. It is personally meaningful to know I have lived the same number of days, today.
● What appears to us as random chance is in fact overseen by a sovereign God who knows the number of hairs on every head according to Luke 12:7.
● Jesus said that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s notice, Matthew 10:29.
● In Isaiah 46:9–11, God states unequivocally that He is in charge of everything:
“I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.”
When we consider life events, we tend to classify them as “important” or “unimportant.” Many people have no problem believing that God is in charge of the “big things” but assume that such an all knowing and all powerful God would not trouble Himself with the seemingly miniscule events of our everyday lives.
However, that understanding is colored by our human limitations and not supported by Scripture.
For God, there are no unimportant events. He does not need to conserve His strength because His power is limitless. His attention is never divided.
If the Lord God tracks every sparrow (Matthew 10:29), then nothing is too small for His attention. He is often referred to as the Almighty (Genesis 17:1; Exodus 6:3; Job 13:3), a name denoting unrestricted power and absolute dominion.
Geraldine Dennis, age 68, passed away on Wednesday, September 06, 2006. Born in Brady, Texas, on January 17, 1938, she was the daughter of Bassett and Ruby Morgan Arthur.
A longtime resident of San Antonio and a member of the Bellaire Baptist Church, Mrs. Dennis had lived in Boerne for 12 years.
Preceded in death by her parents and only brother, Jackie Arthur, Geraldine is survived by her Son, Jack Dennis; Daughter, Bobbi Shipman and her husband, Perry; Grandchildren, Jennifer, Mark, Jack, and Brady Dennis, and Jessica Shipman;
Sisters in love, Virginia Grimmett, Judy Krajcovic, Kathy Grimmett, Connie Winters, and Jeannie Hewitt;
Numerous nieces, nephews, and many close friends. Mrs. Dennis had previously been married to Walter (Corky) Dennis and he also survives her.
Visitation was held on Friday, September 8, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Boerne. The Funeral Service began on Saturdy, September 9, at 11:11 A.M. also at First Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were John Shipman, Mike Sheffield, Phil Grimmett, Jim Dennis, Pete Sheffield, Javier Gutierrez, and Michael Kirchner.
Besides being a loving and devoted individual, Momma’s most noticeable and enduring trait was her tremendous laughter. She found humor everywhere and it was a strong asset that endures with Bobbi and me.
She told some of us more than once that “When I die, I want to come back as a Black gospel singer so I can be part of Tom Jones’ backup group and I can watch his butt.”
Well, I don’t know about this reincarnation business, but I did manage to get a personally signed Tom Jones autograph on a color 8×10 glossy photo for her that she enjoyed for years.
Her funeral was like no other. The large church was full and towards the end, a wonderful singer and friend, Janet Givens (who has performed for Prince Charles and backed up Michael Bolton) appeared with two other remarkable vocalists to create a Black Gospel trio that was louder than the church’s dozen or so Sunday choir group each Sunday. I could feel windows shaking.
They ended by sending our mother off to Jesus, with the spiritually arousing “Oh Happy Day.”
My little sister, Bobbi Jeanne and I are very blessed to be her children. She had a powerful love that permeates to this day in the hearts and minds of dear grandchildren, cousins, and friends.
Oh Happy Day
Oh, happy day (oh, happy day)
Oh, happy day (oh, happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
Oh, when He washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (oh, happy day)
Oh, happy day (oh, happy day)
(He taught me how) oh, He taught me how
(To watch)
(Fight and pray) good Lord, oh
(Fight and pray) yes, yes
(And live rejoicing) and I live rejoicing
(Every day) every day, oh, yes
(Every day)
Oh, happy day (oh, happy day)
Oh, happy day (oh, happy day)
Oh, happy day (oh, happy day)
Oh, happy day (oh, happy day)
Oh, happy day (oh, happy day)
When I get to heaven (oh, happy day)
I’m gonna see my Jesus (oh, happy day)
When I get to heaven (oh, happy day)
I’m gonna see my Lord (oh, happy day)
When I get to glory (oh, happy day), listen
I’m gonna jump and shout hallelujah (oh, happy day)
The King of glory is there, hallelujah (oh, happy day)
The King of glory is there (oh, happy day)
God bless you Momma. Love, Jackie, Dodie, Bobbi, Perry, Jennifer, Mark, Jessica, Jack, & Brady
☆☆☆☆☆
IN GOD WE TRUST
Loralyn ‘Dodie’ & Jack Dennis
Thanks for supporting independent true journalism with a small tip. Dodie & Jack
Green Pasture Here!
Use Code CLEVER10 for a 10% discount on other Green Pasture products today!
CINDY LEAL MASSEY, TEXAS AUTHOR
DANGER CLOSE
Clever Journeys 
Tank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute for your dear mother. The pictures helped to illustrate who she was and who she loved. The funeral celebration would have been an awesome ceremony to experience. “Oh Happy Day” sung by The Edwin Hawkins Singers was a favorite song of mine back in the day. And, you’re right-numbers can be fascinating. Praise the Lord for His many gifts. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a touching and absorbing article, sad, funny and intricate. God is in every little detail of our lives; nothing is ever a coincidence brought by random luck; He makes all things intertwine for very good reasons. For instance, I was stunned to see all the date September 6th for your grandfather’s birthday, 50 years older than Dodie, and your Mom’s death day, when Dodie turned 50: how’s that for a meant to be link? Dodie is right in the middle! Also, my father’s birthday is September 6, 1932; he was just four years older exactly than your Mom. And he died on the same day as his mother, January 12, when he was just four.
I don’t know, either, what the significance is, except that God keeps very close track of us, and so it something else that says we are very precious to Him. And that is significant enough. He never forgets our birthdays, or other anniversaries!
Seems to me that you resemble your uncle Jackie Arthur, yes?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sept 6 is a special day.
Yes, I do have some resemblence to my Uncle Jackie, Uncle Jack & my father. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person