A year ago today/yesterday our truck was stolen
out of our back yard during a family reunion
( the loss was just a truck and eventually it was recovered) but
I commented to some friends yesterday how it felt like that day began
a volley of staggering blows and losses,
a schooling in sorrow and the
incomprehensible compassion of God poured through
people and His Word; evoking a keener awareness to a kind of
Interview, where God has always said
'Trust me' and delights in proving His faithfulness
if we are willing to obey and trust Him
A year ago today Lucy dropped by unannounced
with a bouquet of gladiolas, and much sympathy.
(and classic Lucy-greeting,
oh wow! Are you always dressed up like you're going for groceries,
even on a Monday afternoon of canning?!!) 😅💓
My, my I miss my spontaneous, speak-her-mind/heart sister💔😭
Because our truck was stolen (a friend reminded me much later)
we, unknowingly had our last just-the-two-of-us, heart-to-heart afternoon together!
Before she left we hugged and said 'I love you'.
After the tragedy that ended her earthly life
Her husband chose Rom. 8:28
And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
as a grounding verse.
Because of our stolen truck
God worked for good
Lucy's response to the nudge to come
and give me a hug, amidst her busyness.
God gave me a memory to treasure forever...
(I can't begin to describe how the last year has
transformed joy/hope through incredible heartbreak!
My heart feels ripped, crushed and cradled!!)
The Interview between Father and Child,
to teach needful lessons is always painful, isn't it, daddies?
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God hath shined.
Ps.50:2
We are God’s workmanship; thus, are part of an interview
With He who kindles every star, then dims them with the sun
Who, out of Zion pours perfection’s bespoke beauty through
A fathomless reflection of love’s work barely begun
While, 'gainst a universal scrim, His evidence of truth
Beckons us to remember Him in the days of our youth
The Interviewer of our days; the Kindler of each star
Delights to hear our heartful praise, while joy or sorrow roll
He tests and weighs worship’s reply; no matter who we are
He loves us; Lord of earth and sky and Saviour of the soul
He tries the highs of boast with blows; He refines gains with loss
To prove who we love most; with woes He points us to the cross
Each day runs rife with lows and highs; part of Love’s Interview
While life spills hellos and goodbyes, while we choose who to serve
In a world where anything goes (it seems), where liars woo/coo
Where change and Changeless juxtapose on Hope’s brief honing-curve
While breath by breath soft-dwindles what consumes Attention’s claim
While, like the stars He kindles, God knows each of us by name
...where while life lasts we are in an ongoing Interview
With He who shines through every star, and the sun cannot dim
Who gave His life doomed souls to save, who rose and overthrew
The deadly triumph of the grave, for all who trust in Him
Lord, tune our ears to hear, above the trials faith endures
The Interviewer’s perfect love, whose grace the soul secures
© Janet Martin
Take heart, all of us who are being 'interviewed/tested'...
James 1:2-8
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,
for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
Resist him,
standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge
that your brothers throughout the world
are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
And after you have suffered for a little while,
the God of all grace, who has called you
to His eternal glory in Christ,
will Himself restore you,
secure you,
strengthen you,
and establish you.
I’ve grown to know that suffering does not mean Christ loves me any less. Often, it becomes a place where faithfulness, hope, empathy, and deeper purpose take root. At times, it even feels like a sign of His trust—that He believes I can walk through hardship and come out stronger.
ReplyDeleteEven in a broken world, I’ve seen how moments of comfort, kindness, and meaning can be woven into the hardest seasons, reminding me I am never alone.