While I Was Weeping.

 From a seed to a seedling, my daily vigil witnessing the miracle of gardening, I took you along with me on my journey.  It was never trivial to you. You shared my happiness over the blooming Sunflowers, the Morning Glories- you were there when I lamented of them ever flowering, and you were there when their purple wonder opened on the long vines. You laughed when I told you the Morning Glories were taking over the garden, and I can still see your smile slip away when I mentioned how much they were even enjoying the okra stalks. Okra plants were sacred to you and their being invaded by the Morning Glories was frowned upon. Still, you didn't mind, not as long as your okra blossoms in their glorious yellow and deep purple flourish alongside the invader vines.  

This year you were looking so forward to the okra, and I praise God you were able to enjoy it a few times as it started to produce. There we were, sitting around the dining table once again- and you asked after the okra a week before you left us. I told you it was finally starting to get taller, you mentioned the summer rain is when it will really take off. I said, I really like the tall okra, not the short stuff- you see- I bought various kinds okra seeds- trying them all. You readily agreed that you too liked the tall okra, the taller the better--   we shared a smile. We were waiting on the taller okra… we were waiting on the summer rains…  they came while I was weeping.

I'll continue to watch the okra grow, and the tallest stalks will be a constant reminder of you, of me, of us.

The Zinnias out front were so small, you were waiting for them to bloom. 

They too, as I wept, dared to keep on living, keep on growing, budding and yes, now blossoming-- their beauty marred only by my being unable to share it with you. I know though, I know you'd smile and I can see your smile etched in my heart. Sleep on love, sleep on as the world continues to turn, as the flowers continue to blossom, the okra continues its ascent towards the sky. Sleep on, in the peace of a rest deserved after so much pain. Sleep on for now. I love you. 

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"…not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the LORD of hosts."  Zech. 4:6

By the Spirit of the LORD,  I live.

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Heb.11:13

I am persuaded of the future promised resurrection, the future promised new earth, until then I confess I am a stranger and pilgrim on this sin filled world.

"But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." Heb.11:16 

I desire a heavenly country prepared by God unashamedly. My God prepares.

"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." Heb. 11:25,26

Suffer now, refuse sins pleasure. Christ worth more than anything this world has to offer-- anything! No earthly treasure is greater than Christ, not a single one! All the suffering of living now worth the joy of Christ eternally. 

All by the grace and mercy of the Lord, Jesus Christ, my Savior now and forever! Amen!