Able to Stand

We smiled to each other as I entered the room;
the foundation of a genuine friendship
was already established.


Before I could settle into the chair next to hers,
she braced herself with as firm a grasp as she could muster
and began the painfully difficult task
of standing up.


Fending off my instinct to insist that she sit down,
a quiet prompting encouraged me 
to let her continue in this excruciating effort.


Then there she was, standing beside me,
her body weaving unsteadily,
her face tense from the pain,
her eyes sparkling with the joy of accomplishment.


We exchanged a gentle hug
before she returned, with help, to her seat.


As we talked of lighthearted things
that didn't matter
and laughed because it felt good 
to go beyond just smiling,
my heart was speechless;


Overwhelmed and humbled
by the honor displayed in her loving action,
all the while mourning the passing 
of every day,
of every hour,
until her body would finally succumb 
to the merciless devastation of cancer.


My heart cried out to the God of Tender Mercy,
to the One Who Saves us from destruction,
to the Gentle Shepherd,
to Jesus...
...pleading to Him for
a very specific portion of His Word
that would bless her 
as only He can do...


...and He did.
After driving for twelve hours 
to our daughter's house for a visit,
my weary eyes were captivated 
by the calligraphy that hung on her living room wall,
just as it has for over six years.


The living, breathing
Word of God,
at times, may speak in a whisper
... and once in a while 
His Word is handwritten on the wall!

"Now to Him Who is able 

to keep you from stumbling 

and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory 

with great joy, 

to the only God, our Savior, 

through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, 

before all time 

and now 

and forever.  

Amen."  

~Jude vs. 24,25

Thank you, Jesus!

~ae