As 2017 comes to a close, I look ahead and ask the Lord what word should be my meditation in the coming year. The last word He impressed upon my heart was Surrender and 2017 gave me significant opportunities to apply that theme. And the Lord has spoken again. The word He gives for 2018 - HIDDEN.
He reminds me that He has been teaching me the last few months about the beauty of keeping a quiet heart. As I live in a world that is becoming increasingly noisy, I am beckoned by God to embrace the quiet inner life. I am just wrapping up an in-depth study through the book of Esther. Prior to this, I had never noticed that God's name is found nowhere on the pages of Esther. Even so, the movement of God is abundantly evident throughout the storyline. When God seems hidden, we can rest assured that His presence in His children's lives most certainly is not. There may be seasons in which we must rely on what we know to be true, not putting stock into our feelings that lead us into thinking God has left us or that He is far away. He is always near to His precious ones, even when we cannot feel His presence.
The name Esther comes from the verbal root in Hebrew str, meaning "to conceal" or "hidden". One day as I was studying, Lily made a striking comment - "Esther was poor on the outside but rich on the inside. So, God exalted her. He made her rich on the outside (queen) and poor (humble) on the inside so she could go before the king for her people. She cared more about them than herself. The king just thought he was selecting a beautiful girl but really it was God who chose her." This profound description by my daughter made my spirit rise up and say, "I want to be like Esther!". She naturally won the favor of the king and everyone around her, out of the overflow of living to please God. That kind of woman is attractive in the most important way.
On the last pages of Esther, it is fascinating that her name is the only one not included in the synopsis, among the other main characters. One thing we can conclude is that receiving credit is the wrong reason to do the right thing. I am confronted by this beautiful truth, which helps me to see that I often seek glory for myself. I am drawn to this hidden life that Esther displayed. What this looks like in the 21st century as a homeschooling mother does hold much different details than Esther's life, but the inner message is the same. I can embrace even the most mundane moments of homemaking, knowing that I do them unto the Lord - my audience of ONE. I can take photos of my kids and delight that my eyes got to view that memory being made, without foolishly thinking that social media exposure would have made it any more valuable. I can wait for loved ones to ask for wisdom before offering it. When there are areas in my husband's life I think would benefit from changes, I can take it to the Lord in prayer rather than vocalize those thoughts. I can cherish a small, core group of friends who challenge and inspire me to seek Jesus more. I can purpose to prioritize face-to-face connection in a culture where online friendship has become the norm. I can be quick to listen and slow to speak. All of these everyday ways adding up to the call of living life HIDDEN.
Colossians 3:3 says, "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." I have died to my old self and my desire is that when people are around me, they won't even see Rachael anymore, but Christ, who lives in me. And when troubles come, I will remember that He is truly my Hiding Place.
"I am hidden in the safety of Your love. I trust Your heart and Your intentions. I've never known this kind of friend." ~ Hidden by United Pursuit
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Letter to the {5th} Birthday Boy
Silas,
As we celebrate this milestone of a birthday - half a decade gone by - I am taking time to reflect on who you are and how your Creator God made you. The other day, I was doubled over in laughter at the reality that you and I were matched up together as child and parent. We are complete opposites! It was not a laughter of mockery but rather a joyous laughter, reveling in the sheer delight that we serve a God that has a sense of humor. He loves to orchestrate the details of life in such a way that makes us grow, depend on Him and experience adventure as we get out of our comfort zone. Life is never boring with you!
Thought it's true that you are fun, silly and humorous, I have also seen a side of you emerge that inspires me to dream of your future as a warrior for the Kingdom. This year, I have heard you say and pray things that glorify God greatly. Very recently, I've noticed a pattern in your prayers in which you speak God's Scriptures back to Him. There's nothing more powerful! It is my desire to call you forth, naming the godly attributes I see in you. God is forming a unique story in your life - a story the world needs to hear and you're the one to tell it. You'll have the privilege of being able to proclaim your testimony, which will have the power in God's hands to transform lives.
Your high energy forces me to always be dialed in. This is good for someone like me, who tends to veer toward laziness. Colossians 1:29 says that I labor with all His energy that works so powerfully in me. I'm keenly aware on a daily basis that it is by the Spirit's energy and power alone that I am able to mother you well. While it is frequently difficult in these training years to channel all of that energy for good, I have great confidence that one day, I will see the fruit of the labor as you depart our home and head out into the field to reap a harvest for the gospel. God keeps supplying me with great faith that all of the sweat and tears I pour out today will be worth it as you - one of the arrows of our quiver - launch for His glory.
Another area that is both a refining tool and a tremendous blessing, is the opportunity I get to teach you and Lily to love one another. Since your personalities are like oil and water, I often remind you both that these years together in our home can be used to help you learn how to love, serve and bless someone that is different than you. It is good training ground for later years, which hold the likelihood of roommates, neighbors, co-workers, spouse or children that are different than you. Simply, we are called to love.
Speaking of love, I can absolutely say without a doubt that you have a big heart and display that through your endearing doses of affection. I did not grow up with much affection, so that has been another piece of redemption and healing that I've experienced through your life. On this note of affection and friendliness, you hardly know a stranger. Your winsome spirit captures the hearts of people around you.
Silas, you are a strong male. We knew it from the time you were an infant, son! I remember you had just begun to walk and were already able to push your sister around in a laundry basket. What I've been honing in on with you is the notion that although physical strength is awesome, being strong on the inside is of utmost importance. Having great self-control will set you apart from other males and for this reason, we prioritize practicing it in many different ways. May you strive to become a man of deep spiritual character, living out the fruits of the Spirit and thereby being a man of strength in the truest sense of the word.
I thank the Lord for bringing into our family the sweet gift of Silas. Because of you, smiles, laughter, activity, adventure, affection, messes, fun and love abound. You, my son, are a blessing. I fix my eyes on Jesus, the One who came to make a Way and who will forever hold us as we journey on. Happy 5th Birthday, Silas.
All my love,
Mommy
As we celebrate this milestone of a birthday - half a decade gone by - I am taking time to reflect on who you are and how your Creator God made you. The other day, I was doubled over in laughter at the reality that you and I were matched up together as child and parent. We are complete opposites! It was not a laughter of mockery but rather a joyous laughter, reveling in the sheer delight that we serve a God that has a sense of humor. He loves to orchestrate the details of life in such a way that makes us grow, depend on Him and experience adventure as we get out of our comfort zone. Life is never boring with you!
Thought it's true that you are fun, silly and humorous, I have also seen a side of you emerge that inspires me to dream of your future as a warrior for the Kingdom. This year, I have heard you say and pray things that glorify God greatly. Very recently, I've noticed a pattern in your prayers in which you speak God's Scriptures back to Him. There's nothing more powerful! It is my desire to call you forth, naming the godly attributes I see in you. God is forming a unique story in your life - a story the world needs to hear and you're the one to tell it. You'll have the privilege of being able to proclaim your testimony, which will have the power in God's hands to transform lives.
Your high energy forces me to always be dialed in. This is good for someone like me, who tends to veer toward laziness. Colossians 1:29 says that I labor with all His energy that works so powerfully in me. I'm keenly aware on a daily basis that it is by the Spirit's energy and power alone that I am able to mother you well. While it is frequently difficult in these training years to channel all of that energy for good, I have great confidence that one day, I will see the fruit of the labor as you depart our home and head out into the field to reap a harvest for the gospel. God keeps supplying me with great faith that all of the sweat and tears I pour out today will be worth it as you - one of the arrows of our quiver - launch for His glory.
Another area that is both a refining tool and a tremendous blessing, is the opportunity I get to teach you and Lily to love one another. Since your personalities are like oil and water, I often remind you both that these years together in our home can be used to help you learn how to love, serve and bless someone that is different than you. It is good training ground for later years, which hold the likelihood of roommates, neighbors, co-workers, spouse or children that are different than you. Simply, we are called to love.
Speaking of love, I can absolutely say without a doubt that you have a big heart and display that through your endearing doses of affection. I did not grow up with much affection, so that has been another piece of redemption and healing that I've experienced through your life. On this note of affection and friendliness, you hardly know a stranger. Your winsome spirit captures the hearts of people around you.
Silas, you are a strong male. We knew it from the time you were an infant, son! I remember you had just begun to walk and were already able to push your sister around in a laundry basket. What I've been honing in on with you is the notion that although physical strength is awesome, being strong on the inside is of utmost importance. Having great self-control will set you apart from other males and for this reason, we prioritize practicing it in many different ways. May you strive to become a man of deep spiritual character, living out the fruits of the Spirit and thereby being a man of strength in the truest sense of the word.
I thank the Lord for bringing into our family the sweet gift of Silas. Because of you, smiles, laughter, activity, adventure, affection, messes, fun and love abound. You, my son, are a blessing. I fix my eyes on Jesus, the One who came to make a Way and who will forever hold us as we journey on. Happy 5th Birthday, Silas.
All my love,
Mommy
Sunday, April 2, 2017
The Beauty of the Wait
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God
my Savior; my God will hear me.”
~ Micah 7:7
Waiting on God.
This comes up a lot in Christian talk.
It’s all fine and dandy until you experience it. I’m here to testify that the process is
painful. I will also testify that my
growth as a person and follower of Jesus has significantly intensified as a
result of my God-given season of waiting.
Though I am still very much in the wait, God has already allowed me to
become victorious in my heart and mind.
The first thing God needed to do in this process for me,
was to get me to slow down. I was caught
up in the traps the enemy uses to keep humans – especially Americans – from being
ineffective and not close to the Lord: busyness and distraction. My health challenges, sovereignly allowed by
my Father, forced me to slow way down. I
see that now as His kindness. What I was
able to discover is that when I slow down, I can hear His voice. It’s amazing!
It’s no longer a here-and-there experience but rather a moment by moment
dialogue with the King of the Universe.
When I was busy & distracted, not only could I not hear but I also
didn’t have eyes to see all that He was doing in and around me. The scales have fallen from my eyes and my ears
are now unlocked to hear Him in every facet of my life. And I truly feel unworthy to have that
privilege, all the while accepting it with exuberant thankfulness!
After the Lord trained me to slow down, He could then
begin the process of teaching me to wait on Him in all things. Right now, I am currently gifted with the
opportunity to wait on Him in three major areas:
Adoption
Health
Finances
Now, these three take on different forms but the theme
remains the same. Wait and Trust. The building and toning of spiritual muscle
requires much repetition and practice, just as physical muscle requires. During the training, God is not some harsh
taskmaster. He is a Father who delights
in His children. So, sometimes He throws
in some small tests, so we can see ourselves triumphing in Him. Much like physical conditioning, it is
encouraging to see how far we’ve come.
It empowers us to move forward.
God gave me one of these small tests recently. But I had to put into practice what He had already
taught me – to slow down, trust, and wait.
I am not a runner. But I have
been itching to start using my Couch25K app and begin to jog & walk. My pitiful running shoes that I bought in
college 15 years ago just weren’t going to cut it. So, I headed to a local store that is very
knowledgeable when it comes to running shoes.
I knew going into it, that the shoes they carry are far beyond our
budget but I simply wanted to find out what shoes are the right fit for
me. Well, lo and behold, I was captivated
by the pair I tried on. (Isn’t it silly how material things can have that pull
on our hearts?). So, now I was at a
crossroads. Either I could keep wearing
my worn out pair and continue getting the dreaded shin splints or just not
exercise at all. I didn’t like either of
those options but neither Justin nor I were comfortable spending that amount of
money on a pair of running shoes for someone who is definitely not planning to
train for a marathon! So, I got in the
van and prayed. God has taught me to
bring Him everything. I brought before
Him my desire/need to find a pair of shoes.
I asked Him that out of His sweetness, would He please lead the way and
provide? And then I waited. 10 days to be exact.
My daily devotional a few days later echoed what He had
shown: “You may be able to rush the unfolding of some aspects of God’s will,
but you harm His work in the long run.”
In James 1 it tells us that perseverance must finish its work so we may
be mature and complete. When I used to
read this, I’d think ‘I want to be mature and complete! Oh, waiting and suffering is the way? Um, no thanks, God.’ If I’m honest, I was content before, to have
a shallow relationship with God because I wanted nothing to do with the pain
and suffering required to go deeper. But
God wanted more for me as His daughter. And
He knew His grace would be sufficient for every moment of my weakness. So now, the contentment to stay in shallow
waters having been gloriously shattered, I find myself joyously treading water
out in the deep ocean waves. Out there,
I am well aware that I am like Peter, the risk always before me of sinking, the
minute I let go of Jesus’s hand.
Another thing waiting has produced in me is compassion. When my kids are fidgeting in the grocery
check-out lane, I bend down and whisper, “I know it’s hard to wait. It’s not fun sometimes. But I know you can do it. I believe in you!” And their restlessness turns into a
smile. Just like mine does when my
Father encourages me.
Because I’m human and earth-bound, I still have moments –
even whole days – where I’m on my knees, back in that familiar place of
desperation. But I can now appreciate
the beautiful contrast it creates, an almost rhythmic dance of joy and
pain. God knows when I need the rain,
when I need the sunshine and exactly how much of each. When the sunshine comes, I receive it as a
gift to the contrast of those gloomy moments when I need to search a little
extra more for His face. I take comfort
in Jeremiah 29:13 that reassures me I will always find Him when I seek Him with
all of my heart. He will be found.
By God’s grace alone, when more waiting opportunities
come, I can respond in childlike faith: “Yes, Daddy.” Because I know from experience, He only has
good on the other side.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
The Great Provider
The UNEXPECTED.
Our friend, Janel, gave us the heads up at the very
beginning of our adoption journey that this would happen. “Expect the unexpected”, were her words. And by golly, we’ve experienced it. I suspect we’ll continue to, knowing how God
always has something up His sleeve and loves to lavish His kids.
We started our puzzle fundraiser last week. Puzzle pieces are $20 each. So, imagine our surprise when we opened an
envelope to find this check, gifted to us for one piece.
The shock never wears off. It never ceases to drop us to our knees, in
awe of our Great Provider and how He uses His people.
Now, the amount here is astonishing. But I will say, that the Lord has also blown
us away equally by small amounts. One
such time was a young lady showing up at our front door with tears in her
eyes. As she handed me a $10 bill, she
said, “I know it’s not much but I heard you were adopting and I just want to
say Thank You for that decision. I was
adopted myself.” Only God does stuff
like this. And He, for His incredible
reasons, chose to draw us into this story.
So, cheers to another link in the chain that strengthens
us for the journey ahead. God’s got
this. And He’s got those two precious
ones while we continue to wait, and watch, and be surprised by joy at every
turn.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Email to Kari Jobe
Below is an email I just sent to Kari Jobe. Whether I ever get a response back or not, I felt compelled to share what God has done. He is so good! Maybe it will bless whoever reads it.
Hi Kari,
I don't know if this message will actually get all the way
to you but I am hoping so! I will be
coming to your concert in Ames on the 24th and I wish now I had purchased the
VIP tickets so I could tell you this face to face.
The Garden has become a worship set to me that has taken on
such personal meaning. The songs are
truly written on my heart. In January of
2015, we lost our third child. Following
the devastation of that loss, I started dealing with immense health struggles. Through this suffering, God led us to
adopt. We are currently in process to
bring home an 11 year old boy and 7 year old girl (siblings) from Africa later
this year. While going through much pain
in the waiting season, I would listen to your lyrics and the Lord would bring
peace, hope and ultimately healing to my soul, though my physical healing has
not yet come. I have learned He needed
to do emotional and spiritual healing far more than physical. And yet I still trust Him eagerly and with
confidence to bring the physical in His time.
I have always loved the name Ivy for a girl. Months ago, God helped me to discover that it
means faithfulness. Our African daughter
is named Jovanie (which sounds similar to Ivy when spoken out loud). We will be keeping that and adding Ivy as her
middle name. So, when I heard Ivy in
"The Garden", my ears perked up.
Just this morning, I got on your website and read the story behind this
album. I was completely blown away by what I
read. Your sister's loss of a child was
the beginning of the birth of these songs.
Our loss is what began my own journey of healing. Ivy was James's middle name; Ivy is the
middle name God gave me for our adopted daughter. And then I went on to read what you described
about ivy....how it is the most resilient plant, able to grow in harsh climates
and situations. Our daughter Jovanie Ivy
has done just that - growing in a harsh climate and situation until she comes
home to us.
I praise God for how He imparted all of this to both of us
in different ways, through the work of the Holy Spirit. I hope you are blessed in knowing this, as I
am! He truly does make all things new.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Letter to the {7th} Birthday Girl
My Lily girl,
Every year that I sit down to write you a birthday letter, I am just more in love with the girl God made you to be.
We have been enjoying our second full year of homeschooling and I view it as such a privilege that God has called us to it. You have grown so much in your reading skills! Your eyes light up as you discover the beauty of the written word. It's a huge blessing to my heart that we share a love for books.
One key characteristic of yours that stands out to me over the past year is compassion. You are moved to show love to the hurting and I have great confidence that the Lord will use you to minister to others. There is much brokenness in this world and we need people like you, to reach out and touch it. I believe you will and I believe God will get the glory and you'll get a whole bunch of joy. It's the adverse circumstances that cry out for compassion, like when Grandma Shirley went home to Heaven a few weeks ago. Every time I would glance over your direction, I would see your hand rubbing your grandma's back or your arm around her. It was a beautiful sight to behold and I praised God for the way He's working in you.
I have also come to see you as a teacher. You delight in passing along truth to other people. In our home, this mostly manifests itself in your relationship with Silas. I have to keep gently reminding you that we need to let him answer so he can learn. :) Another context you've loved the opportunity to use this gift is in the D6 room at church. Every few weeks I'm scheduled in the 1st & 2nd grade room to teach during the second service. Every time, you choose to attend first service and then stick around for second, so you can be my little assistant, "teaching" all the things you learned the hour before. We have such a great time together doing this! And I am happy to let you practice using this gift that will inevitably reap blessings down the road. As I dream about the future homecoming of Sacre and Jovanie, I see this as a way that God perfectly planned things for our family. You have already been telling me all of the things you're excited to show and teach your brother and sister. You are most of all eager to share your love with them.
Even the challenges and working on heart issues have been something that I've grown to be thankful for. There are a couple classes within our homeschool co-op group that you're not a big fan of. One morning when I was your class aide, I observed that you refused to participate. It ended up being a great teachable moment later. Our hearts connected as I entered in and empathized with the fact that sometimes life presents situations that aren't our favorite. But we must be people that are open and flexible. You agreed that you'll be willing to give things a chance, even if you're doubtful. That will take you so far, sweetie!
Another area that has been a huge theme to work on, is trust. Oh, how I identify with this one also! And I think God, in His amazing way, uses our own struggles as parents as a humbling tool, so we can stoop down to help our children with theirs. It's really quite beautiful when I slow down to see it as such. The other day we were walking back from the park and I started to cross the road, while you stood on the curb, being the careful, responsible person that you are. You were held back because to you, it didn't seem like it was safe or that you had enough to make it across. After the car was gone, you crossed, in tears. I let you know that it is good to be responsible but even more important is the ability to trust loving authority. You do know some things (quite a bit for your age, actually!), but in that instance, there were things I knew that you didn't. I could see the car was turning from its signal, and wouldn't cross our path. And also, that even if it did, we have the right-of-way as pedestrians. I was struck by how this all applies to our relationship with God! Often times, He will ask us to step out, follow and obey when it doesn't make sense with what we do know. But we must remember, He knows things we don't! That's where the trusting comes in. He leads, and it's for our best that we simply follow. While crossing the road, it is not the time to stop and have a conversation about the situation or for the authority to explain why. Crossing together is all that is needed. Then later, we can pause and I'm delighted to enter in and teach those things you didn't yet know. And it gives me joy to equip you for the future! If you'll let it, those moments will give you fuel to trust me (and ultimately, God) all the more for the times ahead. This is the Father's same heart toward us.
Lily, you are a beautiful young lady on the inside and out. Your smile is radiant. Your eyes convey the sweetness that resides inside of you. Lately that sweetness has been spilling out onto letters you've been sending in the mail to people you care about. I am one blessed mom to get to hug you and kiss you and learn with you and laugh and cry and my favorite - to seek King Jesus alongside you. I look forward to all the tomorrows I get with you.
My love knows no bounds.
~Mommy
Every year that I sit down to write you a birthday letter, I am just more in love with the girl God made you to be.
We have been enjoying our second full year of homeschooling and I view it as such a privilege that God has called us to it. You have grown so much in your reading skills! Your eyes light up as you discover the beauty of the written word. It's a huge blessing to my heart that we share a love for books.
One key characteristic of yours that stands out to me over the past year is compassion. You are moved to show love to the hurting and I have great confidence that the Lord will use you to minister to others. There is much brokenness in this world and we need people like you, to reach out and touch it. I believe you will and I believe God will get the glory and you'll get a whole bunch of joy. It's the adverse circumstances that cry out for compassion, like when Grandma Shirley went home to Heaven a few weeks ago. Every time I would glance over your direction, I would see your hand rubbing your grandma's back or your arm around her. It was a beautiful sight to behold and I praised God for the way He's working in you.
I have also come to see you as a teacher. You delight in passing along truth to other people. In our home, this mostly manifests itself in your relationship with Silas. I have to keep gently reminding you that we need to let him answer so he can learn. :) Another context you've loved the opportunity to use this gift is in the D6 room at church. Every few weeks I'm scheduled in the 1st & 2nd grade room to teach during the second service. Every time, you choose to attend first service and then stick around for second, so you can be my little assistant, "teaching" all the things you learned the hour before. We have such a great time together doing this! And I am happy to let you practice using this gift that will inevitably reap blessings down the road. As I dream about the future homecoming of Sacre and Jovanie, I see this as a way that God perfectly planned things for our family. You have already been telling me all of the things you're excited to show and teach your brother and sister. You are most of all eager to share your love with them.
Even the challenges and working on heart issues have been something that I've grown to be thankful for. There are a couple classes within our homeschool co-op group that you're not a big fan of. One morning when I was your class aide, I observed that you refused to participate. It ended up being a great teachable moment later. Our hearts connected as I entered in and empathized with the fact that sometimes life presents situations that aren't our favorite. But we must be people that are open and flexible. You agreed that you'll be willing to give things a chance, even if you're doubtful. That will take you so far, sweetie!
Another area that has been a huge theme to work on, is trust. Oh, how I identify with this one also! And I think God, in His amazing way, uses our own struggles as parents as a humbling tool, so we can stoop down to help our children with theirs. It's really quite beautiful when I slow down to see it as such. The other day we were walking back from the park and I started to cross the road, while you stood on the curb, being the careful, responsible person that you are. You were held back because to you, it didn't seem like it was safe or that you had enough to make it across. After the car was gone, you crossed, in tears. I let you know that it is good to be responsible but even more important is the ability to trust loving authority. You do know some things (quite a bit for your age, actually!), but in that instance, there were things I knew that you didn't. I could see the car was turning from its signal, and wouldn't cross our path. And also, that even if it did, we have the right-of-way as pedestrians. I was struck by how this all applies to our relationship with God! Often times, He will ask us to step out, follow and obey when it doesn't make sense with what we do know. But we must remember, He knows things we don't! That's where the trusting comes in. He leads, and it's for our best that we simply follow. While crossing the road, it is not the time to stop and have a conversation about the situation or for the authority to explain why. Crossing together is all that is needed. Then later, we can pause and I'm delighted to enter in and teach those things you didn't yet know. And it gives me joy to equip you for the future! If you'll let it, those moments will give you fuel to trust me (and ultimately, God) all the more for the times ahead. This is the Father's same heart toward us.
Lily, you are a beautiful young lady on the inside and out. Your smile is radiant. Your eyes convey the sweetness that resides inside of you. Lately that sweetness has been spilling out onto letters you've been sending in the mail to people you care about. I am one blessed mom to get to hug you and kiss you and learn with you and laugh and cry and my favorite - to seek King Jesus alongside you. I look forward to all the tomorrows I get with you.
My love knows no bounds.
~Mommy
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Grandma Shirley
A little over three weeks ago, my Grandma Shirley went home to be with Jesus, her Lord and King. She was and will continue to be an inspiration to me. Because of her faithful example, I will have the gift of drawing strength from what I saw in her life, for the rest of my days here. What a woman of the Word she was! She took every opportunity she could, to share the love of Jesus with all the people He put on her path. I remember being so uplifted to hear the stories of how she'd minister to hospital staff during the many times she had to be there. Her heart was for others to know the Jesus she served. She compels me to live and love well until my time on earth comes to a close. While sorrow is definitely a part of her leaving, rejoicing is also very much a part of it. What a difference it is when someone dies who loves Jesus! Hope and peace are intermingled with the sorrow. I am filled with worship that one day we will be together in our true Home. Until then, I have yet another anchor in Heaven, drawing me there and increasing my thirst and longing.
I have always loved this poem and now I will think of my sweet grandma as I read the words:
Gone from My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean
She is an object of beauty and strength
I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other
Then, someone at my side says,
"There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull
and spar as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able to bear her
load of living freight to her destined port
Her diminished size is in me, not in her
And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:
"Here she comes!"
I have always loved this poem and now I will think of my sweet grandma as I read the words:
Gone from My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore
A ship at my side spreads her white
sails to the morning breeze and starts
for the blue ocean
She is an object of beauty and strength
I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come
to mingle with each other
Then, someone at my side says,
"There, she is gone!"
"Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull
and spar as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able to bear her
load of living freight to her destined port
Her diminished size is in me, not in her
And just at the moment when someone
at my side says, "There, she is gone!"
There are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:
"Here she comes!"
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