Miles Upon Miles

Today the road took us to Williston for a "Celebration of Life" service honoring a dear friend.  Her life was cut short by our standards, but it was refreshing to hear her sons recount the many times her physical challenges gave opportunity to share the message of Jesus with those caring for her.  The church was full of family and friends, all who were in some way impacted by her life.

Our connection to her began during the time our daughter needed a place to live while doing her student teaching.  This woman and her family graciously offered to take her into their home, and it was during this time our now son-in-law came into the picture.  Although our friend claimed she never delved into the world of "match making," I can't help but think she did her part to insure our daughter found the perfect match.  For this I am eternally grateful!

Back home this evening I am putting together an overnight bag, as in the morning a group of ladies from our church will be headed down the highway to Bismarck for a Ladies Conference.  There will be two different speakers and lots of fellowship time with other women of faith.  My heart is already open to receive all God has in store for us.

From Bismarck, some of us will journey back to Williston for a Fall Fundraising Banquet at the Christian school our grandchildren attend.  I try not to think about the total number of miles covered in the course of three days, but instead am thankful for the opportunities there will be to hear from God and the plans He is placing before us.

Around my computer desk are multiple messages. . .special writings which at some point inspired my life.  It has actually been a long time since I've taken the time to read them.  Tonight, as I end my day, one in particular caught my eye, and I feel it would be fitting to share.  As we put on the miles this week-end, please keep us in your prayers!

LIFE IS A MIRACLE

 

Life is a miracle,

don't let it slip away.

Open your heart to others,

give of yourself each day.

 

See the beauty in everyone

Regardless of where they've been,

Some have a difficult journey

And really need a friend.

 

Share your gifts and talents

Listen with your heart.

Do the things you dream about

But don't have time to start.

 

Pick a bouquet of flowers

Show someone that you care,

Be gracious and forgiving

Life is never fair.

 

Hold on to your courage

You may need it down the road,

We all have a cross to bear

It could be a heavy load.

 

If you practice all these things

No matter where you roam,

You may find both sun and rain

But you'll never feel alone!

~Author Unknown

Butterfly Kisses

A month has now gone by since the departure of my dear Aunt Mabel.  Days have been filled with the usual activities of my world. . .exercise, yard work, music, reading, and trying to stay abreast of the housework, laundry, and cooking.   I'm very thankful for my husband who has stepped up to the plate to help on days I just haven't felt like doing them.  The thing missing from my world has been the visits with Mabel which blessed my life beyond measure.

Her youngest daughter, who is a year older than me, has been here taking on the task of sorting through her mother's things, and making the decisions as to what will be their final fate.  Children and grandchildren had the first chance to take things which were special to them.  From there on, things were sorted to be given to various extended family members, or set aside to be disposed of in a number of ways.  Some went to a second hand store in a neighboring community.  A large stash of fabric was delivered to a group of women known as the "Pack Rats".  They are a thrifty and talented group who sew quilts, blankets, and other items for those in need.  Other items have been set aside to be part of a community auction sale next month.  And, alas, some simply filled the dumpster in the alley.

As I did what I could to help, I found myself often singing the words to a song.  It is one which was sung for Mabel at one of her "milestone birthdays", and has a fitting message.  The song is entitled "Find Us Faithful," and was made popular by Steve Green.

We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

 Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

 After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

 Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
 Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

 

Steve Green "Find Us Faithful" [Click to hear song]

 

Yesterday I found myself once again walking to Mabel's house.  My heart longed for another visit with her, and I felt perhaps a chat with her daughter would help.  Alas, she wasn't home.  As I looked around the now near empty house, I found myself tearing up.  No longer would there be times spent rocking in the chair opposite Mabel's, unloading whatever happened to spill out in search of her wisdom.  As I made my way to the door, my eye spotted a card covered with butterflies.  The message seemed to be just what I needed to hear:  "Gently as a butterfly, may happiness touch your heart today."  It was one I had given Mabel years ago, which her daughter was planning on returning to me. 

 

Just outside the door, I paused on the steps to glance around at her flower beds, now finding their rest at the end of the summer season.  Suddenly, a glimpse of color caught my eye.  A beautiful butterfly flew nearby and seemed to send the message my dear Mabel was not far away.  Somewhere in the back of my mind came a voice spoken with love, "I'll always be here, cheering you on, until the day I welcome you to your heavenly home!"  It was a message I needed to hear, and I'm thankful for a God who sent it just when I needed it most.   

 

Of Flowers, Birds, and Butterflies

It has now been two weeks since my dear Aunt Mabel left this world.  It is an empty void for many, as her amazing life intersected with a host of people.  Her family has begun the process of sorting through her things, and I am thankful to say there are a few items which have found their way into my possession to remind me of her.  Not that a "thing" is required, but sometimes it is nice to have a piece of her world in mine.

Besides the things in her home, so much of nature brings her to mind, as well.  In particular, the top three reminders for me are flowers, birds, and butterflies.  She was a wealth of knowledge when it came to flowers and birds, and butterflies were her trademark symbol.  After her passing, my daughter gave me a little butterfly ornament with an oval containing the words, "If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies."  Losing Mabel was one change I could have done without, but thankfully we have the assurance through God's Word we will one day see her again!

 

Mabel's youngest child is my cousin, Susan.  We have had a close bond through the years, and it has been fun looking through pictures with her, and passing stories back and forth.  One story of particular interest involves a plant Susan purchased earlier this summer.  It was said to be a hibiscus plant, and was to produce red flowers, but even though the plant grew, no flowers appeared.  Susan had told her mom about the plant and they had discussed it on several occasions.  After Susan received the call from her brother relaying the news of their mother's death, Susan went out on her patio to shed some tears.  Lo, and behold, out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of something red.  The hibiscus plant had begun to flower!  My first thought was seeing Mabel marching up to Jesus, and asking Him if He couldn't do something about Susan's plant.  Whatever the case, it has now been blooming!

For me, there have been almost daily visits from a little hummingbird in the backyard.  They come and go so quickly, it is hard to catch them, but it seems the timing has been such I have caught him among my flowers on many a morning when looking out my kitchen window.  On one particular day, I hadn't seen him.  Later in the evening, I decided to water the flower pots at our church on the next block, and sat down to do some deadheading of the spent blossoms at the same time.  Who decided to pay a quick visit?  My hummingbird friend!  I could imagine Mabel and her brother (my dad) arranging the chance meeting, which put a smile on my face, and a good dose of needed joy in my heart.

While visiting with my sister-in-law, she related taking her dog out for a walk on their farm shortly after Mabel's death.  She said the prettiest butterfly she had ever seen appeared, and danced through the air around her.  Reminders.  They are a good thing!

This brings me to this morning.  I have gotten in the habit of looking out the kitchen window in the morning to see if I can spot the hummingbird.  Today there was no hummingbird, but instead another beautiful butterfly.  Yes, things have changed here on earth, but Mabel memories and reminders abound.  Blessed be her memory!