4  For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

5 Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.

Isaiah 25:4-5

July 19, 2018. You are approaching like a freight train at full throttle! Eleven years? Really? How can this be. Time flies. Time stalls, stands still. I have “lost” eleven years of my life going through the motions of living.

Eleven years ago, the officer and gentleman sat down in the front row of

the “cloud” seats. He watches our floundering as we learn to do life in a new “normal”. I think we have done pretty well on this test. Maybe a “D” for done. We hung in there and we continue to try. I didn’t say it was a great grade but passing nonetheless. Knowing this officer and gentleman, a “D” would not be considered passing! I think he might give me an “A” not as in awesome but in “attagirl”; maybe a “B” for bumbling or even a “C” for courage under fire. He would not ever consider those he left behind to be failures. No “F’s”. For sure his children and granddaughters would get “A+” for the way they have supported this weeping willow.

Over the last three years you have seen glimpses of this “man after God’s own heart.” (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) And as time goes on and I continue to attempt all the Lord has asked of me, you may see more pieces of his mosaic fall into place. To be candid, I can only do a little at the time. I “brim and spill,” and seeing the computer screen is impossible.

 

Jesus on White Horse

As he grew weaker in his last days our granddaughters had questions. They were four and fourteen. One question was “Are there animals in heaven?” My answer was, “You bet there are and all the things that make life sweet.” (Genesis 1:26-31) This was an ongoing debate in our house. It ended this day! The little one said, “How do you know?”, and I responded, “Because Jesus will return on a white horse and all who have trusted Him as Saviour will have one too!” The officer and gentleman, I love, looked up and with a look of pleased recognition smiled and said, “Well, I believe you are right! I never really thought of that!” SCORE!! (Revelation 19:11-21) We love horses, dogs, and nature. Our home sits nestled among the trees and the critters scurry, the birds sing, the butterflies and bees suck sweet nectar and the chipmunks and squirrels scamper across the yard fleeing the chasing dog. The horses graze on sweet bahaya grass and trot to the fence at the sight of a sweet treat. This was a garden to be in, as this officer and gentleman waited for his final roll call.

This officer and gentleman had held my hand through the grief process for many of my “cloud people.” Like Paul said, “we grieve but not as those without hope.” (I Thessalonians 4:13)

Now, I wondered who would hold me up as I faced “losing him” to the cloud. I need not have worried. Something happened as I sat beside him. I was tired and I laid my head on the bed beside him (I thought he was sleeping) and I felt his hand stroke my hair ever so softly, almost imperceptibly. A month or so later, as I walked around outside, I felt that same touch on my hair. There was no breeze at all! I knew he was still with me………………..

Cardinals

They say cardinals are heavenly visitors. I had one for six years! This persistent, scarlet beauty, who mates for life, would peck on the window high in our great room. If I sat down on the couch, he would come almost immediately. The last time I saw him was on my birthday three years ago. I had prayed the day before for the strength to let go of the past and reach for the future God had for me. It was time to “tell my heart to beat again.”

He and my other witnesses are faithful to cheer me on each and every day. I must press on toward the high calling of God for my life (Philippians 3:14) so I too can hear the sweet words of Jesus as he says, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” (Matthew 25:23) Another stone firmly placed on my path: God IS faithful in the storm:

“Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:28-31

Lord God of Heaven,

Thank you for Your matchless faithfulness in all my storms. You are indeed good. All. The. Time! You provide strength, shadow, stillness, quiet, calm, and refuge-a haven. The picture of a faithful husband. I am Yours.

 

Tell Your Heart to Beat Again, by Danny Gokey

treadingwaterwaitingforlastrollcall,

Yvonne Jones