Kisses From The Heart

 No words can adequately express the sorrow of losing a little "light" in a family. No easy, pain-free program to help direct out of the darkness of mourning.  No pill to take to soothe the ache of emptiness in a parents' arms.  It is a grief of such grave depths no mom or dad should ever have to experience. 


This is Jantz...2 years old, loved his stuffed animals, pets, ABC's and story time at night.  The youngest of 5 children doted on by all of the older ones.  Notably, the joy of a family in our community.  But tonight, instead of sitting in his mother's lap for bed time stories, he sits in Jesus' lap. 

Jantz's brother valiantly tried to save his little brother by pulling him out of the family pool...what bravery in one so young himself.


Jantz, however, in the heavenly realm, had already been pulled out by Jesus, who sweetly breathed eternal life into this baby so that he could run and romp and enjoy all of the treasures that heaven has to offer precious little ones whose time on earth is so so short.  While he had just learned to sing his ABC's...today he sings a new song...in a heavenly vocabulary so inspiring we cannot dare to imagine.


Yet, even while we know Jantz runs through heaven squealing with delight at the beauties unfolded before him, it does not diminish the despair of separation.  It will be many months, maybe years, before life becomes more tolerable...it will, however, never be the same.  It will just be a new kind of living.


Perhaps those who are left behind are here to tell the story of these bright "Lights" who are dimmed so early.  To remind each other of the baby who brought such joy and filled their lives.


And in the meantime, instead of lips brushing sweet foreheads or cheeks, his mama and daddy will kiss him with their hearts.  They will hug their sweet memories close and look forward in anticipation for the day they can hold them in their arms again.  


And they will...hold him again one day.  


And that is the only hope that gives the strength to draw breath again each morning without him...that hope for one day.


"...For You are my hope, O Lord God...my confidence...my strong refuge..." Ps. 71


He is our Hope...Pass The Word

ARMOR UP!

TAKE UP THE FULL ARMOR....Eph. 6:10-17


As I was backing out of my daughter's driveway several weeks ago, I noticed she had come running out of the door, waving me down before I drove off to take Jaxson to kindergarten for her. 


I rolled down my window and before I could ask what I had forgotten, she said, "Mom, tell Jaxson to put his armor on!" I was going to ask if I had forgotten a costume or something, when out of the back seat came an all-knowing little 5 year old voice, "Oh YEAH!!  Okay, Mom, I will!"  HE knew exactly what she meant!


She waved and blew kisses at him, and he at her...a bond between a mother and her firstborn is a beautiful sight to behold. 

As I continued to drive out of the neighborhood, I glanced in the rear view mirror to witness Jaxson touch his head in the backseat as he said, "I will put on my "Helmet of Salvation"..."That is so my mind is not afraid," said my precious boy.




He touched his tummy saying, "And I will put on my Breastplate of Righteousness...say it with me, Honey, Breastplate of Righteousness...," and so, of course, I said it!  When a 5 year old tells you to armor up - you do it and don't ask questions!

           I watched as Jaxson pointed to his 

waist and put on

his "Belt of Truth", like he has seen 
in his poster that hangs on the back door so 
that he sees it before 
he leaves the house every day. 

Then he pretended like he was 

slipping on shoes as he put on the 

shoes of the "Gospel of Peace".

Then, because no good soldier goes out

without his weapons, Jaxson waved one 

hand in the air as he took up his shield

of faith.  The other hand followed, flailing wildly as if to 

fight off the unseen forces that would gladly

foil all of the Savior's plans for us.  "Honey, 

do this."  Jaxson said, so I waved my hand 

in the air as well as Jaxson (and I) took up the 

Sword of the Spirit! 

I was close to tears by this time for many reasons...not the least of which was, how many of us are fortunate enough to watch our grandchildren put on the armor of the Lord?   

 I was also so humbled and thankful for a daughter and son-in-law who, in the wisdom of parents convicted of raising their children to be strong leaders, have made sure that their boys do not leave the house without their armor on!  

"Now I am ready, Honey!" proclaimed Jaxson!  "Honey, Mom says we have to make sure 

we have our armor on every day so that we can be strong and courageous for Jesus."

I will never leave my house again without my armor on...

I have been commissioned by a 5 year old!

                        ALL ARMORED UP AND READY FOR THE DAY!  

                                                                       ARE YOU?

                                            ARMOR UP --- PASS THE WORD!

      

No Pumpkins At My House

There will be no pumpkins at my house this fall. My sentry guards at the door, the concrete urns in which stacked pumpkins put on a show of orange topiary, stand empty this year with only the leftover dirt from the summer flowers. The porch has lost its hay stacks with scarecrows and giant gourds and every size of pumpkin snuggled in the hay. The flower beds boast of no cabbage or kale to decorate the walkway. I have one fall wreath from many falls past, but there are no pumpkins at my house this year.

The year 2009 has proven to be a most unusual year, not just for us, for the entire world. It is a time of economic downturn and unplanned changes, along with the ebbs and flows we all experience in the waves of life, good with bad, happy with sad, want with blessings. For us, new career changes that are excitingly hopeful and the anticipation of the dreams we have dreamed. We are so blessed, but there is wisdom in frugality during such times. While fall is my absolute favorite time of year…this is a very unusual fall indeed. So this year we will have no pumpkins.

And yet…while many changes have taken place, and the fall decorations are minimal and bare by choice…there has been a sort of decorating happening that has produced the most beautiful of harvest displays.

The swags of fall flowers usually cascading gracefully around my front door have been replaced with a beautiful garland of FAITHFULNESS. It proclaims, “All who enter here are offered the assurance that there are greater things to come at the hand of the One who has so lavishly provided!” A finer welcome you have never had.

The flower pots, which are usually brimming with armfuls of red and golden mums, are now filled to overflowing with the most striking blossoms of LOVE I have ever seen. Blooms too beautiful to describe with the sweetest fragrance of family and friends who have cheered and supported, prayed and inspired. I do not believe I will ever find fall flowers as beautiful as these again.

I cannot even remember what the haystack used to look like. In its place stands an arresting display of JOY. The pumpkins and gourds replaced with more appealing embellishments. A more intense appreciation of time spent with each other and the encouragement that commitment brings. Holding hands on the front porch, toasty toes by the fire in the chimenea, recounting treasures of memories of those who have loved us and we have loved back. A warming of two hearts devoted to standing the test of time and resting in a hope, not found in things made but in blessings bestowed. Joy only found in the safety of the Father’s hand.

There is no reason to look forward to “good” times. These are the good times.

So, there will be no pumpkins at my house this fall. They would detract from my new decorations.