A Window of Promise

AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING

 It’s been 3 months since the accident. Sometimes people ask how we are doing. I’m never quite sure how to answer.  My husband and I and our family started out on a new and difficult journey that April day.  We’ve never been this way before. I’m taking one step at a time. There are tears and dark days, but sometimes smiles and even laughter along the way. Some days I just need rest. Even though the way is rough and steep and scary, we know we’re not alone. God is good, and He is walking with us through this valley. And I think we’re making progress. 

NORMAL IS HARD

I know I have to find my “new normal”. But normal is hard. I don’t want to leave my memories behind.The dance of everyday life is circling and flowing around me.  I can hear the music.  It’s getting louder. I know I will join this dance. I will laugh and sing and celebrate again one day. But my heart is not in it yet.  

YESTERDAY

So that’s what’s been happening here. But  now let’s get back to yesterday…and my surprise blessing. It started with the pets… 

Between our daughter’s family and ours we have a good number of pets. Pets who need to be cared for. I’ve been helping out with pet-sitting for a few days, and late yesterday afternoon it was my turn to take care of the birds, the cats and the turtles–our well-loved grand-pets. After each was appropriately patted and petted, fed, watered, covered and tucked in I got into my car and started out for home. But along the way there was something else I needed to do. 

Stopping about 3/4 of the way down their driveway, as I often do now, I gazed on The Field to my left. The sacred and terrible place where my sweet granddaughter breathed her last breath on earth. Where Jesus came for her soul, cradled her in His arms, and brought her Home.  I’ve had many talks with God in this place over the last few months. And yesterday was one of those days I needed a quiet moment of reflection and remembrance. I needed to whisper another prayer to my Heavenly Father.

I DIDN’T KNOW THAT GOD HAD A SURPRISE FOR ME! 

I rolled the car to the place where I could see the site. I peered through my “window” in the bushes, an oval shaped opening where the branches parted, framing the accident site in the field beyond. Through this window I could see the fire pit under construction, fieldstones that had been placed, a bench. Then suddenly, just beyond the site,  I saw a quick movement. Then another. I saw what looked like two small ATV’s zipping, racing, rocketing, tumbling. As each one hit the ground, it righted itself and hurried on its way, undamaged. 

ATV’s. Tumbling to the ground. Here. 

My heart began thumping and the breath caught a little.  I heard voices. They sounded playful. Happy. Then they came into view and I realized what I was seeing.  A man and boy, father and son,  playing with remote controlled vehicles. Sending them up a dirt ramp — flying, tumbling, racing. They were laughing.  Having fun. Just beyond the sacred terrible site. I took a deep breath. And it was OK. 

Then I saw another movement. Closer to me. A flutter of wings as a butterfly gently landed right in front of me, on my leafy bush-frame. He sat with me awhile as I thought and prayed, remembered and cried. 

FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON

Life is moving on. There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh. There is fun, and children still play. I smile with sad wet eyes. God was with them that day. And God is STILL HERE. 

Lord, You are so good. And you do surprising things. Thank you for the grace of this vignette. For reminding me once again of the beauty of life, and of Your love and faithfulness. And of Your truest promise that You will never leave us or forsake us.

We need you, Lord.   

And, Jesus, if you happen to see Elisia pirouetting by today,  please give her a big hug and kiss from Grampa and me. 🩰 ❤️ 🦋