An Unneeded Book.

 An Unneeded Book.

 

The last time the old woman went to get a massage, Spa Bella had a table with some books on it. The title is what got me: Beyond the Banks of Frog Creek. My grandmother Pollard grew up on the banks of Frog Creek, somewhere close to Byers, TX. That was enough to cause me to buy the book. Grandmother would probably laugh and tell me stories about that place and why it was so difficult to get her to school from out in the country. That was one of the reasons that she was sent to the Academy of Mary Immaculate in WF. She was a boarding student there from age nine to sometime a few years later. Wish questions had been asked then that plague me now. Sigh.

 

Anyway, after buying the book, the subtitle struck me as strange: 40 days of devotions for times of painful change. It did not seem at the time that any real change had been in my life that needed to be addressed. But the pages were some that became a comforting presence of sharing the same problems others had. Then this morning the real comfort came in a surprise. On page 180 was the title: The God of Thistles and Thorns. It addressed the situation of a wife and mother whose son became an alcoholic and who ended up in a prison ministry. No, my youngest son did not end up in prison, but he abruptly ended his life right in front of me. It still hurts. But the encouragement is there to give that grief to God just as He gave His son. His son was perfect! And yet He gave us that perfect sacrifice.

 

Marjorie Hodgson Parker shares her belief in God and His word, so maybe that was something the old woman really needed and didn’t realize.

 

Sometimes reading about the trauma in the lives or others creates a shadow of sorrow in our own lives. The trials of Israel, the floods from hurricanes and weather that can destroy lives and landscape, the hatred some have for ICE agents who are trying their best to free our country from the terrorists who have been roaming our cities and killing police officers and citizens—these are the shadows now on our lives. No one can just blithely say, “You handle it, Father.” No, these shadows compromise our own lives so easily. We pray, we ask for peace for ourselves and others, and we do our best to look forward to what God has promised. Even so, we need God’s comforting love in words and actions. Not many have the resources to give large amounts of money or equipment to those in need. Our president has been doing his best to help Israel and the Ukraine, but evil and destruction prevail in so many corners that even all the resources of the U.S. cannot prevent the loss of life in our own country or abroad. About all most of us can do is pray. And really, prayer is not a small thing because we are asking of a mighty God, the creator. He listens. He spreads His love in both large and small measures as needed.

 

May those who are having to dig out the bodies—literally—be comforted that they are giving closure to those who are left behind to mourn.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.