Sunday, December 27, 2015

These Things I Will Do

At the Farmhouse, 
I never put decorations on this particular tree. 
Just lights, 
only lights.
I have enjoyed the cozy glow.
I've loved it this way.
And in the night, 
in those pondering hours, 
all the colors, 
the sparkle, 
the different facets and reflections of light,
make me think of the days gone by
and the days ahead.
I can't change the past.
I can only hope to shape the future by living well now,
this very moment. 
We don't get repeats, 
or chances to make up for lost time
or past regret. 
On Christmas eve
 we took a gift to a person
we feared would have no contact 
with anyone on Christmas.  
Just this morning
a man told me his sad
sad
story.
The "story" was probably
a grand total of 10 sentences,
but those 10 sentences wrote a book in my heart. 
I was stunned.
I was almost rendered speechless.

I had never heard such a real life story. 

And once again I realized that we never know the 
pain that crouches just below the surface
of quick wit
or the grief hidden in a smile. 
I've heard of so much sorrow
this Christmas season 
as people have told me their heartache. 
And my heart has ached along side them. 
I wish I could rewrite their story 
with the stroke of a pen 
and the flourish of my hand
and make it pretty.

But a baby,
a baby came,
helpless,
and frail 
and he was laid 
right down 
in the middle of all our messes,
yes, 
my messes
my heartache, 
my darkness, 
and pondering.
And YOUR messes too.
Your heartache, 
and darkness
and pondering. 

But the baby, 
the helpless and frail baby,
was strong
 and
 HE was mighty.
And with the stroke of three nails
with a flourish
his hands
and feet
rewrote my story!
And he rewrote your story too!
You may not think it looks very pretty, 
but he wrote it to bring peace. 

Peace for me
Peace for you
Peace for all 

And as a new year dawns, 
I realize
"You and I may be hard pressed on every side,
but we are not in despair, abandoned or destroyed". 
2 Corinthians 4:8
So I will celebrate with joy. 
I will pray more intensely with thanksgiving.
And I will keep your stories close to my heart. 

Because your stories matter to me. 
These things I will do. 

3 comments:

Carolyn said...

Wishing you all the best for a happy,healthy,joyful New Year.

I am sorry to read about all your family's losses this past year.

Take care,
Carolyn

Unknown said...

I enjoy you writings. Thanks for sharing. Missing our visits. Chris Clouse

Donnie Pirtle said...

Beautifully written. I am so thankful Jesus came to give us the gift of Peace as well travel through the messes of our lives. Have a Blessed New Year.