Good Friday

Parting Words

These things have I spoken unto you,
That my joy might remain in you,
And that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment,
That ye love one another,
As I have loved you.

Greater love hath no man than this,
That a man lay down his life for his friends.

Ye are my friends,
If ye do whatsoever I command you.

These things I command you,
That ye love one another.

John 15:11-14,17

* * *



Dying Words

Then said Jesus,
Father, forgive them;
For they know not what they do.

Luke 23:34

* * *

We have been shown the way.
We have been given instruction.
We have been forgiven, as we surely fail.
We must remember.

We must love.

Respite Wednesday

Selah

Pause
Poignant moments of peace
Preface to growth
Powerful silence
Pssssst . . . He has something to reveal –


Selah

Appearing 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk
“To lift up” in Hebrew
From root word “To hang”
No precise definition . . . lots of theories –


Selah

“I hear you Lord . . .”
I rest “lifted up” in your palm . . .

“Hanging” limp, spent, saved –


Selah

Defies simple summation

I take comfort in knowing man cannot define it for certain

I hang in the interlude of uncertainty –

At peace
Content
Hammocked
At rest
Contemplative

Peace . . . rest . . . pause . . . await . . . restore . . . ponder . . . enJOY . . .

Behold we count them happy
Which endure.
James 5:11a

* * *

Orchards of Perseverance
Meadows of Delight
Oceans of Praise
Fields of Dreams
Shadows of Respite
Freshets of Joy
Sweet, Sweet Surrender . . . Peace


* * *

Of late, the power of self-control blossoms in Matthew. Communication skills unfurl like new tendrils, clinging to a framework of love, support, devotion, and trust . . . though still battered by a storm of hormones and overload.

Hugs and kisses return. Dances and carefree twirls take place. Clapping and smiles erupt. Oh the joy of asking and receiving.

Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24b

Confidence soars . . . peace blossoms in the visage of a boy caught up in a world he cannot face full-fold. He chooses a return to shyness over frustration; avoidance rather than confrontation. And yet a newfound foothold of expression buds into greater communication and bonding threads spawned in areas previously isolated. A pillow once again rests clutched in a bedded-down snuggle rather than an angry grasp. A door at hand offers welcome access rather than a slamming burst of isolation.

As the waters of life churn less and mere flecks of angry foam remain, I ease back and swing in the extended Selah conducted by God. Rain clouds and cold showers usher us away from the gardens and back to hearthside for books and chats and incubations of idea – moments spent in sweet silence.

As always, emotional storms invite reassessment: a survey of the landscape when clouds part, affording a fresh view . . . a honing of plans . . . new hope revealed in areas previously obscured, now laid bare in the windblown aftermath. New perspective . . . a gift that moments of Selah allow me to unwrap and peruse without rush.

The fruits of the spirit hang heavy in some spots, swaying in the windy gusts of growing up “special.” Other places on the tree sport but the merest hint of bud . . . hope of fruit to come. The sweet perfume of Selah wafts gently o’er these Orchards of Perseverance.

Selah

I cried unto the LORD with my voice,
And he heard me out of his holy hill.
Selah.
Psalm 3:4

Sunday Wonder

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
A refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name
Will put their trust in thee:
For thou, LORD,
Hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalm 9:9b-10

* * *

I have cried out . . .
You have cried out . . .
He has heard . . .
And answered with sweet peace.

Though the journey has not ended
And the path retains its rocky nature,
I rest in the moments of peace
And dance upon the bridges
That tears and toil have been gifted with
From above.

* * *

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous,
And his ears are open unto their cry.
Psalm 34:15

------------
Dear Praying Ones,

I thank you all collectively here until I find moments sufficient to thank you all individually. Please continue to pray . . .

Favored Status

Jacob says, “That broken hip?
An angel did me a favor.”

From The Inward Journey by Gene Edwards
In reference to Genesis 32:24-32

I stand in the midst of a “favor” sent by God. Tears course down my face as I strive to count it all joy. God promises victory, not ease; comfort, not leisure; hope, not remedy.

Living with autism has aggravated my ‘broken hip.’ Trials, tears, and toil seek to silence the music of celebration, to dim the eyes to beauty, to break the heart’s cistern of peace.

No button to push, no potion to heal . . . only prayer and supplication and endurance through this darkness.

Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:5b

And so I wrap myself in His mantle of love and ride out the storm. Though the waves crash and the thunder booms and darkness fills the air, I KNOW THE GOD OF ALL and He knows me. He knows what I endure and why . . . though I do not. He knows why and what my son endures . . . though I do not. My heart breaks for my sweet man-boy as he battles unknown, unexpressed enemies. But still I praise God because . . . I know we are not alone.

I know I am not alone for beyond the Omnipotent Embrace I sit next to loved ones right here in the boat with me, equally burdened, equally devoted in love and prayer. In addition, hands and hearts around the family, around the town, and around the globe join me in prayer and peaceful thoughts upon reading this (I know you do, and I thank you SO MUCH). Some of you know the pain of living with autism, some of you cannot imagine it, and all the rest of you fall somewhere in between. But God hears the prayers of each one of us, regardless of our experience.

If you have stepped across my little cyber threshold for the very first time I apologize for the lack of gaiety you may have been seeking. If you take a look around you’ll find that I celebrate this wonderful life (with all its ups and downs) with a joy firmly rooted in the love of my God-father-son-comforter, but just now the comforter dabs away tears, as He is wont to do on such occasions.

As I write this and drain away another pot of tea I hear the strains of Winnie-the-Pooh tunes filling the garden breeze as the girls have grabbed paintbrushes and made their way out of doors in an effort to finish painting the interior of Briar Rose Cottage (our playhouse/potting shed/tea house/reading spot) before the threatening clouds splash a few raindrops our way (or maybe snow according to some weather-tellers).

The happy tunes of friendship and love bring a smile to my face and an eagerness to run out and join them at play . . . uh . . . work wells up inside. As coats of primer prepare for coats of “Come Hither” (isn’t that a wonderful name for the petal-soft pink paint I found?), dreams slip out of summertime berrying with a respite for refreshment in the cottage or maybe a catnap on the wicker settee or simply a quiet haven for delving into the poetry of Wordsworth or a novel from way-back-when. The possibilities seem endless as each dab of paint brightens the place.

Smiles and dreams, hope and love – the thunderclouds melt in the presence of such.

Earlier this morning Rachel greeted me with a fistful of buttercups freshly gathered from the dewy meadow grasses. Those cheery flowers forced a smile and pierced the veil of sadness allowing sunlight to stream through.

Joy came in the morning . . .

Just like He promised.

Respite Winds-day

Springs plays in the gardens today,
Born aloft on the wings of a breezy-ness
That welcomes April with a sunny smile.

Precious Faith blossoms all around.

Planted out so long ago

Patiently awaited.

(Worthwhile wait, don't you agree?)

Lilac's first blossom
Floods my mind with memories of my Great-Grandma:
Tea sipped from violet-sprigged china cups,
Rhubarb dumplings floating in cream,
Lilac-scented hankies tucked in a sleeve.

A crabapple shouting,
"Spring has arrived!
Come out and play!"

A nibble of lunch in the fresh breeze.

Wind chimes dancing merrily,
Casting rainbows prism-born
in a breeze filled with joy.


* * * * *

"Oh, then I think I shall wish everyone a happy 'Winds Day',
And I shall begin with--my very dear friend...Piglet!"
~~Pooh on a blustery day~~

* * * * *


I shall follow suit and wish you all
HAPPY WINDS DAY!

: D