Crossing

Piercing cry of death...young wife crumples in grief...tears tumble from men folk...
Forty four years cut short by an invasion of germs...a weakened heart ceasing to beat...
I stand at the edge of this unfolding crisis, beginning the dance of indecision. Do I penetrate this circle of love or do I simply retreat, assuming the preferred role of onlooker? My heart is crumbling for a family all too familiar with hardship, but my mind floods with "what if's." What if they reject a love offering? What if the spectators deem it invasive? What if I fumble?
The line is crossed by a force bigger than me, a holy Wind that sweeps me toward the carnage. He sends me to color the dark with His hope, a promise to rescue and restore.
A stranger's arm that wraps...a simple prayer that cries...one insecure soul who is chosen to cross over.

Father, You are faithful in Your love! Today, You will hold a family close. Today, You will spread Your balm over them. Today, You will call me to the edge again and once more, I will ask You to help me cross.

It's Spring!

For, lo, the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth;

the time of the singing of birds is come.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

I must remember

Crossbeam tearing wounded flesh...hammer striking iron...

  shrieks of unfathomable pain...drops of redemption blood...

wincing with each agonizing breath...

trembling limbs stretched...

startled eyes searching the heavens...haunting thoughts of abandonment and betrayal...

uncontrollable sobs from a grieving mother...

jeers from a lost crowd...repentant cries from a thief...

merciful eyes forgiving humanity...

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,

so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;

by his wounds you have been healed. I Peter 2:24