On these vacations mornings I’m always the first and only one awake at 7 am. I leave my husband sleeping, daughter and friend buried upstairs, oblivious to noise, due to the air conditioner, and my niece and her friend sprawled across the pull-out bed in the kitchen/living room. I make my breakfast and settle into the my office, the only room not holding sleeping bodies.
Today glanced down at my Bible. I picked it up and it fell open to a bookmarked page. The verse was
All things good and perfect come from God. He shines forever, without change or shadow.
Without change or shadow. That part of the verse hung onto a corner of my brain and dangled there until I left for an early beach walk. Only 8 am and the heat was oppressive. I decided to walk the road to Scorton Creek and make my way back walking along the shore in the water. Without change or shadow. I mentally tumbled the words around as my feet slipped and splashed across the stony shoreline. Seaweed was catching around the thong of my sandal, requiring much stopping and cleaning. Now and then a rock would creep in under my foot. I’d have to stop and dislodge it before my sandal floated away. Lots of trouble, but the water was cool and there were my pleasant steps in between. Without change or shadow, despite the difficult steps, the shoreline stretches and remains.
Reaching the road, my steps quickened. The sweat poured into my eyes and stung when it mixed with the sunblock. Not the most comfortable walk, but my house was soon in sight offering relief from the heat.
Soon after arriving home, we received news that my sister-in-law had passed. All things good and perfect come from God. In there somewhere there is comfort. Her road was full of bumps, but she had some beautiful steps in between. Her shoreline was riddled with difficult days, fought bravely. Now the good and perfect is hers, forever, without anymore change or shadow.
And so, as another day goes by, I sit in the shade of my backyard, praying for peace for my brother today, once again marveling how God comes close at just the right moment, and…I have written.
So sorry for your loss, Linda.
Diane