I've Not Forgotten

One of my artichokes bloomed. Photo by Jean

Dear Readers,

I've not forgotten or abandoned this blog. I tore four ligaments in my back, and it's taking time to get to a more normal routine.

You will see more posts soon.

I miss writing to you!

God bless you,
Jean

Psalm 145:16~Thou Openest Thine Hand~Elk On A Mountain

Jean at her blind~photo taken by her husband

Dear readers,

King David writes:
"Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing."

I take the scripture above to mean, God created the heavens and the earth by His hand. He gave all creatures what they need to live.

After nine years of grieving my son's death by suicide, the Lord has given me the best rest ever upon a mountain top. Several days of peaceful beauty that I'll write about in three parts.

My experience took place two weeks ago, where I entered the forest and up onto a mountain and sat behind a hunting blind. I waited where I knew elk came each evening. I scanned the peak of a treeline with my binoculars for an hour, taking a few breaks. When I glassed the area, again, I thought, "I don't remember that stump being there." Besides, it was too blond in color. I couldn't comprehend what I saw.

I moved my binos back and forth, when the "stump" moved. A bull elk turned, moving his backside to full broadside. He lifted his head. I whispered, "Oh, my, oh, my!" I counted twelve horns. Six on one side and six on the other, a six by six. That rack stood straight in the air between three to four feet high, I kid you not.

I fussed at myself for leaving my camera in the truck, and muttered, "Drat."

Suddenly, another bull appeared, his backside hidden by the first elk. A bit smaller, his horns were either five by five or five by six. I'm uncertain. By now, my heart pounded in my ears and my chest heaved. I grew dizzy and thought I might faint any second, for their beauty blew me sideways.

After watching them for ten minutes, they began to walk up and away from my direction. I tiptoed down the trail I sat on, and the elk disappeared. Desperate to bring them back, I used my own voice in a cow elk call. Thinking I had lost them for sure, I walked back toward my blind. As I came to an opening on the path, I looked at where they had been. The six by six bull faced me at stoic attention, showing off a brown coat on his thick chest.

I gasped, and then grinned. "You beautiful, big guy. God made you."

He moved to the side and, pulling his head to the left, sauntered out of view.

I descended the mountain that day satisfied. Even though I did not bring one down and home to the freezer, I witnessed the magnificence of Father God's creation. Best of all, with my own voice, I spoke big guy's language and our eyes met.

 "You opened Your hand, and satisfy the desires every living thing."

Thank You, Lord, for giving me a much needed break from the world around me. Thank You for creating magnificent creatures as the Rocky Mountain elk. In Jesus' holy name, I am grateful. Amen.

Until next time . . . see what God has done.

Psalm 142:2~I Poured Out My Complaint

Dear readers,

King David wrote this while hiding in the cave:

"I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble." KJV

Ah, David, he does know how to speak honestly, doesn't he? This must be why I love his words. This verse speaks of my heart, for I'm going into the darker season of grief and loss.

Before my son's death, I've always loved fall. It might be because I was born smelling the harvest. Or maybe because it's the beginning of cooler weather after summer heat. No matter the reason, fall is now bittersweet. Joshua's birthday comes with autumn and that is a worst time for missing my son.

God  hears my complaint of how I dread the tears of missing Joshua. I fight the sad, dark cloud that wants to gulp me whole. Yes, it's been nine years, but I can't stop missing my son. Father God knows this, and He hears my complaint.

Recently, the Lord brought me a gift of the human kind.

Even though my friend, Reda, and I had kept in contact, we hadn't seen each other in 28 years. Her Micah and my Joshua played together as little boys. We now live closer since we both moved to the Northwest, and she just so happened to be driving toward my home when I heard from her. "Would you like a visit?" she asked.

"Yes," I cried, "yes!"

As Reda got out of her car, we hurried to greet each other. What happened next surprised me: I sobbed.

Huge blubbering sobs like ocean waves erupted from me as we embraced. Reda cried her soft gentle tears with me. I had no idea how much I needed to share my sorrow of loss with her. She bore my pain. Sisters in Christ, soul friends, our years of separation leaked in a rush of tears. Sad tears. Joyful tears of reunion.

We visited for five hours and thirty minutes. I fed her glasses and glasses of green mango iced tea. She fed me her faith in Christ. Her struggles of life. I shared, also. God heard my complaint and blessed me with the strength of a faithful follower.

How many times have I wrote in this Love Truth blog, that God has blessed me with human comfort? Many, many times, dear readers. God does bless. Father God does hear, but we must ask. Knock, knock, knock, on His door and He will open and extend His hand of help.

Reda is proof once again: God has not forgotten my sorrow.

Father God, thank You for the surprise visit of my dear friend. You are the Father of gifts. You are the Lord of beautiful. In Jesus' holy name, I praise You. Amen.

Until next time . . . reach out your hand for Lord God.