The hush of fresh snowfall descended from above, covering the dormant, the dying, the essence of winter. I went for a walk with my daughter to capture some visual moments. It was so quiet, still, solitary. I am not a photographer, but felt my shoot did justice to the beautiful pause in my day. Vehicles stilled, the untouched magnificence of white. A solitary flower, life spent, bowing as if in worship to the Creator, “I have done what you sent me to do. Thank you for my life.” Bursts of color made clearer, brighter, when surrounded by masses of snowflakes…
Stevie – Hope Deferred Part 3
“Hannah – Hope Deferred Part 1″ | “Mike – Hope Deferred Part 2″
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” Proverbs 13:12
Another Christmas came and went. We were still childless. Hannah understood “year after year”. Six years had passed. Neither of us sensed a yes or a no. We stayed the course, hoping it would eventually lead somewhere, much like the time we attempted driving home in a blizzard. At least in that endeavor we had a compass and knew which direction we were heading.
There were no Penny’s in our life, and we were not alone. Our church, town, family, friends, co-workers – they were praying too. And waiting. And hoping. Continue reading
Mike – Hope Deferred Part 2
“Hannah – Hope Deferred Part 1″
“The death of one that belongs to the Lord is precious in his sight.” Psalm 116:15
I grew up with one sibling, an older brother. Mike. We were both adopted as babies (different birth parents) yet we were blood. Mike watched out for me, gave me good advice, never ratted me out, and was my friend.
As I was going through my “Hannah” season, Mike and his wife brought two children into the world and made me an Aunt. This, I loved. Continue reading
Hannah – Hope Deferred Part 1
“Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:10
Many, many years ago, there was a gal named Hannah. She was married to a man who loved her, a man she yearned to have children with. Yet all their love could not create life. Only God can do that.
Hannah also had a “sister wife”. We’ll call her “Penny”. Penny’s womb was productive, and she would spike the newborn every time she gave birth, jumping out of bed and taunting Hannah with her touchdown dance. “I’ve got children, yes I do! I’ve got children, how ’bout you?”
Okay, maybe it didn’t go down exactly like that, but the taunting and mockery was there. And Hannah’s barrenness was real…raw…a wound that wouldn’t heal.
The Lord allowed a “Hannah” season in my life (minus “Penny”). Continue reading