It’s January 6, my brother’s 55th birthday. I’ve been thinking about him a lot today, grateful he was part of my life here on earth. He was and still is part of the weave of my life.
I wasn’t planning to go to the lake today, only running out late in the afternoon to pick up a few things at the store. I’ve been stuck in the house all week with a pounding head and eyes that didn’t want to open. I’m feeling better on this warm-for-January, sunshiny day – the first day I’ve “lasted” all day. Perhaps the five-minute ride to the lake is a good idea, I think.
Yes, I am sure it is a good idea.
The peach and lavender-splashed sky greets me. The five-minute drive is worth it. I am glad I came.
What follows makes it even more so, as over the next six minutes,
the sky morphs into this…
And as if that’s not enough . . .
two more minutes, to this . . .
The iced-over lake, not wanting to be left out,
reflects the ever-changing color of the sky above.
I’ve seen lots of sunsets here, but never a sunset like this. I can hardly breathe. I laugh. I cry. I keep taking photos, knowing all along I won’t be able to capture the excitement, the joy flooding through me.
I begin to wonder:
Is there something here, Lord,
you want me to see?
Something you want to teach me?
And gently you reply,
“Not this time.
It’s simply a gift
to you, from me
on Gordon’s birthday.
I wanted you to see this.
I am glad you came.
I wanted you
to remember
I love you.”
Laughter
and tears of joy
for the beauty
mixed with the grief
and the missing.
Me . . . .
thinking about YOU
thinking about me.
This I will remember.
Immanuel, God with me
Your amazing power and love
are seen in
all you have created
God . . .
present with me
through the hard
in the good
always
his presence..
Immanuel,
Jesus, God with us
*******
An added note: as I did a little revision on this post, almost 10 years later in preparation for connecting to a soon-to-be-published post, I feel it all over again – the joy, the missing, the wonder. The passing of time does not negate the need for this reminder. I needed this today.
This is so lovely, I’m glad you’re revisiting it! The photos are beautiful, but this part took my breath away:
Laughter
and tears of joy
for the beauty
mixed with the grief
and the missing.
Hi Carol. I find such comfort gazing at the beautiful trees we have here in Michigan. In the winter, God strips them of their beautiful leaves. In the spring, God gives them back their beautiful leaves. In the summer, God continues to make some leaves even more beautiful than they were in the spring. Finally in the fall, God lets us know that he is darkening our beautiful summer leaves. The fall trees provide beauty to thousands of Michiganders who take color tour trips up into Northern MI. The leaves are dark green, firey red, orange, amber, light green and are seen mile after mile after mile. What a sight to behold!! God gives us beautiful lessons that depict of our lives through many seasons and many changes.
Thanks for sharing this with us Carol. It’s beautiful…glory to God for His beauty in nature and in you!
Sweetheart, Today is your birthday and you are God’s gift to me. Love your words, your awareness of God’s love for you. May we enjoy Him forever!
You heard the still small voice and you stayed for the blessing; thanks for your lovely photos and impactful words. You are a treasure.
OMG, Carol this is beautiful – the sunsets of course but also your thoughts and the words that expressed them. Your gift to US on your birthday – thanks so much.
blessings,
Nancy
Beautiful words AND sunset. I think being cherished by God is transformational – even more than what He says to me, I am stunned that He said it TO me.