Thursday, July 29, 2010

Eastern "Delight" Time

Our oldest son went to college one time zone away from home. The 1800 miles between us did not make him feel far away, but the time difference did. Central Standard Time. I imagined his day, “Its 8am here, so he must be getting up there. After a few years he began life in earnest. He married and had a child. My time keeping continued. I wonder what the baby is doing now? Its 9pm here, so she must be going to bed for the night there.

How I missed them each and every day. Their family grew and so did the yearning in my heart. Opportunity came knocking at his door and he answered. It was a job in California. Pacific Standard Time. Too early to call, I'll wait... My bed time, but their busy time, I'll call tomorrow.

Yesterday, they moved into Eastern Daylight Time. I sigh and rejoice! The sun comes up on him and me in the same instant. In a few weeks I can look out my door and see the harvest moon when they do. They are near by geography and time.

Our weather radio has a computer generated voice. When Computer Harry says the time he mispronounces Eastern Daylight Time. His monotone says, Eastern Delight Time. I now live in Eastern Delight Time with all my children and grandchildren.

Fear not, for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west: I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 43: 5, 6)

Renovation

429 Goss Lane, August 1982. We walked through the house one last time, the boys and I. (I remembered moving in, walking the five blocks with most of our things in hand, believing here in this quiet place things would be better. But it wasn't. Everything ended...) We checked the rooms, the closets; nothing was left behind. I shut the door. Closed it to a marriage, hopes, dreams and failures. What could God do with the pieces?

429 Goss Lane, July 1996. We walked through the house one last time before signing the papers. Was it possible we were buying this broken old house? Dormant and damaged the walls grew mold, the creaking floors sagged and I looked at blue sky through a bedroom ceiling. It certainly was a symbol of pain and shattered dreams. What would God do with the pieces?

He did what He does best, renovated. Renovated walls, timbers, windows and lives. He gave “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...that He might be glorified.” (Isa 61:3) I left a desolate woman, with two small boys, and returned full with my husband, our two teenaged sons, and the little ones born to us. The latter end has indeed been better.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

First Post

"So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning." Job 42:12