sometimes the weight of it all
brings the weary heart to its knees
the heat of the day
the burning sun
melts the body
drains the spirit
just when normal becomes normal
circumstances change
revoking that normal
forcing a new normal
tears threaten
hearts cry
minds race
eyes wide open in the dark
sleep elusive
peace shattered
as wheelchairs empty
become filled once again
"the Lord your God is with you
He is mighty to save
He will take great delight in you
He will quiet you with His love
He will rejoice over you with singing"
Zephaniah 3:17
these are the words I read aloud this morning
as she tried to make sense
of where she was
lying in a room
she had visited
three years ago -
his first room
caregivers who had cared for him
now caring for her
with that same loving
tender touch
then the wheelchair brought in for her
brought memories only 1 month fresh
for it was his wheelchair
and tomorrow marks
one month since
he was gathered close
into the arms of Jesus
and taken to heaven
on the wings of angels
joy mixed with tears
bittersweet
still she smiles
the Lord her God IS with her
this she never forgets
nothing can separate her from Him
or Him from her
when my peace is shattered
I need only look at her
looking at Him
a reminder that He loves all
holds all
knows all
no new normal
catches Him off guard
He knew the empty wheelchair
would be occupied again
for just a season
how long the season
the result of the season
only He knows
and that is enough for me
and still she smiles