Tropically arrayed with color and palm trees, we always weaved through a flower jungle to get to the front porch. Country music played on the front porch and wooden chimes clucked to the music's beat. Martha's place. Though we lived next door to our family friend-our welcoming routine warmed us through the years. Things changed over time, though.
This visit held no excitement or warmth for us. No music played. The wind chimes rested, and we waited impatiently.
No, this time she didn't greet us on the porch at all. Instead, as the door opened, and I looked past her elderly mom to find her. My friend. She had changed. She was not the friend I used to know. I didn't know this person. I missed my friend, even though I looked at her.
She lay frail and small in her bed in the middle of the dim living room. Her majestic request of what we would like to drink and snack on echoed in my mind only. Her smile: vanished. Instead of greetings and background music, an eerie silence nagged at my heart. Emptiness gripped me.
Fighting back, I picked up her hand, kissed her cheek and tried to encourage her. Inside I crumbled. Outside I smiled, hoping to give back warmth.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The Leader of the Band
Drum beat rivets. Horns chime in. Smiles galore, and children craning to see through colorful crowds the demonstration. All in a row, polished brass, rythymic echos reverbrate through our bodies. Excitement stirs.
Glued to the sight we lean in and elbow our way to view the coordinated unifroms and perfected march.
Parades.
Love em.
Life is my parade. Not for show. For follow, though. I follow my leader with joy,remembering Ephesians 6:13-18..(THE MESSAGE).
13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
MAN: WHAT a parade!
Through God's reminder my access for a great finish is between the lines. I must find my own style, my own way of practice but if I am not on my feet how will I get there? If I am not on my knees how will I arrive to encourage others from dropping out? If my heart's eyes close at difficulty will I drop out?
Glued to the sight we lean in and elbow our way to view the coordinated unifroms and perfected march.
Parades.
Love em.
Life is my parade. Not for show. For follow, though. I follow my leader with joy,remembering Ephesians 6:13-18..(THE MESSAGE).
13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
MAN: WHAT a parade!
Through God's reminder my access for a great finish is between the lines. I must find my own style, my own way of practice but if I am not on my feet how will I get there? If I am not on my knees how will I arrive to encourage others from dropping out? If my heart's eyes close at difficulty will I drop out?
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