june 24th

Because we have hope we endure,

and a man of seventy plus seven with a empty spot in his heart

and  disease in his body, but peace in his soul

folds his hands in hope

and a young woman alone, with chapters filled,

and a new page turned, professes faith with a full heart

and holds out a child named Hope.

Words of Isaiah echo through the ages,

of one who binds up the brokenhearted

and gives them everlasting joy.

(message by H. Alkema this Sunday morning)

june 22nd 2012

june 19th 2012

as May closes

Breezes blow gently through the garden. Poppies wave glorious colour as spent petals drop.  When did we enter the days of the poppies? Tulips, Red Bud Blossoms, Lilacs  have come and gone. Where did summer suddenly appear from?

Weeks passed bedside, worries pressing insides.  Watching dad writhe out words of faith.  "He who loves us.... he loves us now, present tense, right through our sufferings".  Watching familiar hands thin and become transparent.  Listening to a mind befuddled by narcotics turn circles.  Anxious moments when life is hanging in the balance, tipping one way, then another.  Exhaling relief when corners are turned but keeping optimism at bay and feeling distrustful of the next bend.  Words don't come easy and thoughts are not easily pressed onto a keyboard.  Death the last enemy hovers devouring here and there.  Disease strikes where it may.  Dear Tante Kina succumbed a few days ago but now wears a crown of glory.  Dad is in the midst of the battle.  Neighbours, others, cancer chases them too.  

And we prayed, asking a Loving Father to spare dad's life.  To spare a humble servant this suffering.  To restore this man to the work that he so loves.  And when our own words fail we rest on The Word and trust that His Will be Done.  Behind ugly we see beauty, behind death we see life, behind a cross we see a Saviour.  And time passes, petals drop, lives are lost but lives are gained in Christ.  

Eternity awaits.