April 2009

As I sat in our Good Friday service this afternoon, I looked at a picture of the cross up on the screen and wondered – what was the crucifixion of Christ like from God the Father’s perspective? He loved His Son with the purest, truest love of any father ever, yet He purposely handed Him over to die as a scape goat for sinful humans – whom He also loved with indescribable love. (A love I cannot explain, only accept.) Those of us who know the Scriptures, know the why behind the cross. The Father sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sins. The Son was bruised and crushed for us, and it pleased the Father to do so because He loved us beyond imagination. And for the joy of having us with Him forever, the Son agreed to the plan from the very beginning.

But at that moment, when Jesus hung suspended between heaven and earth, when blood seeped from his scarred face and his pierced hands and feet, when men mocked him and the sky grew black, what did heaven see? Did Moses and Elijah who’d been with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration glimpse His agony then? Did David and Joseph and Abraham and Abigail and Ruth and Sarah and all of the Old Testament saints have ring-side seats on this gruesome spectacle? Did the angels wonder, did heaven weep for the Son they loved?

The Bible tells us that God grieves. He clearly feels emotion, and what greater pain could He have felt at that moment than the pain of having to turn His back on His only Son. Jesus sweat drops of blood the night before in the garden in anticipation of this moment. I don’t think the terror of the torture alone is what caused such stress. It was the torment of knowing He would lose that intimacy with His Father. In that moment when He took on Himself the sins of the world – when He became sin for us – God turned his back. Did He weep as Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Those already in paradise and those still living on earth – the eternal destinies of all depended on Jesus’ sacrifice. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. One looked forward, the other looks back to that blackest of moments.

And I wonder…in the midst of the agony Jesus suffered on earth, what were they doing, saying, thinking in heaven? Afterward, surely the Father wiped away all their tears, but in that day, that precious of all days…did heaven weep?

This poem was sent to me (and written by) my good friend, Judy Peitsch. A fitting reflection for this season.

JARS OF CLAY

by Judith Peitsch

We are God’s treasure in jars of clay,
from the dust of the earth we were molded that way.
His knowledge and wisdom that guides every sphere,
has chosen the world, though our home is not here.

Our moments and days all rest in His care,
from sunrise to sunset, His presence is there.
And seeking His will, we do all we can
to follow His leading and fit in His Plan.

His time is not our time, He sees far ahead,
allowing the shadows of what we would dread.
For during these hours we’re drawn by His grace,
to see past the darkness, a glimpse of His Face.

Our Saviour and Lord also shouldered His clothes
on a mere earthen vessel, defenseless to blows.
He put all His trust in His Father above;
and proved by His death, His Own limitless love.

Sometimes it is good to think where we began,
to know God will help us to do what we can.
His Spirit will guide us as we kneel to pray;
for we are God’s treasure in jars of clay.

II Cor. 4:7-10

Sunshine? Warm weather? What was I thinking? Well, last week Spring did poke its head out to the tune of 60 degrees and higher. Short sleeves, light jacket. Cats begging to go outside. Iced tea. Ahh…

Today, winter decided it wasn’t dead yet. We woke up to snow, hot tea, and cuddly kitties that couldn’t decide what to do with that white stuff outside. I had a few suggestions for it, but the sun didn’t melt it quite as fast as I’d hoped. And my friends down south sounded like they didn’t want it either – in fact, I think it’s colder there! Ah sunshine…Maybe tomorrow.

Mondays are always busy here at home. Laundry, clean-up from the weekend, catching up on emails. I searched recipes online and tried a new beef stew for dinner. Not bad except the author of the recipe didn’t have nearly enough water in it and after 90 minutes of simmering it nearly burned! But I caught it in time and dinner was saved. Made homemade biscuits to go with it. Yum!

I’m hoping to bake yeast cinnamon rolls this week after I pick up some fresh yeast. Mine had a date of “Best used by November 2006.” Yeah, it’s been a while since I baked with yeast. And don’t ask me how long ago I cleaned out my cupboards. :) I’m also hoping to try a lamb recipe on Thursday. Not a traditional Seder meal, but I’d like to serve a tasty lamb dish just the same.

Last week I got a sneak peek at Abigail’s cover! I can’t wait to share it here – did I already mention that? Oh well…I get to post it in June, so hang on. I think Revell makes some gorgeous covers! This one is just like I pictured Abigail to look – as Michal does on her cover as well.

Today my publisher asked me to fill out some lists for influencers and possible endorsers. So I’ve asked a few friends and am praying about who else to ask. Some said yes, or a qualified yes based on time constraints. Others had to decline, also due to time constraints. One friend said she wished she could clone time. :) Imagine how much more we’d get done! But I think I have enough to do now. More time would just give me more excuses to do more and that would be overwhelming. :)

In any case, time has slipped away from me for today and my current reading choice is calling my name. I’m reading When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall. My first book by Cindy – I think she’s a NYTimes Bestselling Author now! It’s also one of the few Amish books I’ve read. My crit partner Kathy Fuller is writing Amish fiction, and I can’t wait to read hers all the way through. Cindy’s story has me intrigued as well.

Time to go satisfy that intrigue…

Shalom~

My mom and I went shopping today. Life has changed a lot for her in the past year since my dad fell and broke his hip. They can no longer share the same home, and the most recent difference is Mom’s need to use a walker to keep from falling. She does pretty well with it and managed to walk the entire length of the mall today.

We bought some clothes for my dad and did some girl things – shopped for new purses and went to lunch. I took her to Borders to see Michal on the shelves. She’s read the book and has her own copy, of course, but she had yet to see it in a bookstore. That was fun. The nice surprise came when the saleswoman asked me if I’d like to sign the copies they had on hand! I’m glad I got to share that with my mom.

Psalm 71 came up in my morning reading today. It’s a great psalm, but a few verses stuck out to me.

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame…
For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth…
Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone…
But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?
(Psalm 71:1,5,9,14,16-19 NIV)

Tomorrow we have an Easter brunch with my dad and mom at the nursing home. I cannot visit that place without a feeling of sadness. So many of those people have no one to visit them, they are old and forgotten by all but those who work to care for them. It is no wonder the psalmist prayed that God would not forsake him in his old age. God is the only one who promised to never do so (Psalm 9:10, Hebrews 13:5) and is the only one who could keep such a promise.

When I was young, I could never imagine growing old. My parents were strong and capable and even into their 80s completely independent. Amazing what changes a year can bring.

But Solomon was right when he said, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, a time to die…” And everything in between.

Every season of life has its own set of trials. I spoke to a young mother today with four small children ages 8 and under. She homeschools two of them (the others are too young yet) along with all of the usual busyness that goes into caring for a young family. I remember those days with fondness, though I remember how hard it all was at times. Like all of life, the good and bad, the ups and downs, each season should be treasured.

But as winter turns to spring, seasons change, as life has changed for my mom this past year. She has more trouble walking, but is more adept at using a computer. Life isn’t over, it’s just different. In this there is hope.

It is sad to watch the aged fade, sometimes, like my dad, unable to care for themselves. Sadder still (unlike my dad) when they are neglected and forgotten. Life still has value, no matter its season.

But it has greater meaning when we know that God will not forsake us when we are old, when our strength is gone. He has never forsaken those who seek Him. And He never will.

Selah~