Starlight

Starlight falls and my hands open wide to catch it,

to hold it

for just a brief moment before the wonder and beauty

pass slowly through my fingers, 

and my heart aches for more. . .

More time, more moments, more memories, more chances, more giggles and hugs from my precious little girl – the one who is not so little anymore.

How does time go so fast? How have twenty-one years passed by and those deep brown eyes that once looked wide up at me for answers are now looking deep into her own wide-open future?

How have the little hands that once held so tight to mine grown into those of a beautiful woman who will make her own marks on the world?

How can it be that one day all too soon, my aging hands will be right there next to hers, helping to pack and mark the boxes she’ll bring to a new place, a new home?  

Ouch! Isn't home just where your mom is?!

It’s hard to let go, and already I know a part of my heart will feel as empty as the room she leaves behind, and after my precious treasure, hauls away her treasures to new destinations, some of the sparkle in my life will be gone.

But I would never want to hold her back, so I will silently acquiesce to reality, and even as these thoughts bring sparkles of tears to my eyes, I know it’s a part of my growing too.

I haven’t been the perfect mom, there’s no such thing, but I have loved her deeply and she has blossomed into a woman of beauty with deep love to give of her own. Her spirit is amazing and she has grown resilient and strong, yet still at times, surprisingly vulnerable and fragile and I love the way she is beginning to look at life. 

She has finally begun to look past those things that have scarred her and is realizing that broken can be beautiful and the things that she thought might just squeeze the life right out of her, have actually been part of the shaping of her soul.

It’s a broken world we live in, and there are broken-apart lives all around us, but often those tiny shattered pieces, the ones that many might quickly just throw in the trash, are the ones that suddenly catch and reflect the most brilliant light. If we’ll just pause long enough to notice, we may discover break-through moments that will make us catch our breath and finally see the beauty we would have otherwise missed.

There are so many lessons to be learned on this journey we call life and I’m grateful to be learning some of the hardest right beside my beautiful daughter.

As I reflect in my heart, I can see her like the starlight I couldn't hold long in my hand, and I am reminded that stars are never for the holding on to.

They are for lighting up the sky.

So I say, reach high and shine on my sweet girl!

Shine for all the world to see.

I love you.

Linking for the first time with the community at #unforced rhythms, hosted by Kelli Woodford. The community formerly meeting at Michelle deRusha's place.

An Echoing Song

I find it on a woodland walk, when shards of light get tangled up in the trees, then chance upon places to peek through and touch the forest floor.

I hear it carried on a warm summer breeze, the notes of a song from a distant land that I’m sure I've heard before, but just can’t remember when. Then, as quickly as it came, it begins to fade, though the sweetness of the melody lingers long and faintly echoes in my heart.

I feel it when my hand finds the warmth of his, and our eyes meet with a loving smile, when we sway in a long embrace and then our lips softly touch, my heart skips a beat.

I see it in silver drops of moonlight that fall silently in the night, covering the sleepy world with a soft shimmering layer of the most delicate lace.

I knew it when I touched my newborn baby’s cheek, bent low to softly kiss the rosy blush, and our warm breath sweetly intertwined.

All of these moments, and countless more, are only tiny glimpses of glory, sudden meetings of heaven and earth that sink deep into my spirit and whisper of the

Truest Love.

Each time I catch my breath at the startling beauty of a sunrise, delight in the sparkle of unhindered laughter, am astonished by music that moves me to tears. . . 

It’s all a reflection of God’s glory that leaves me longing for the moment. . . 

When I will see Him face to face. . . 

When I will feel His warm embrace and remember all of the words 
to the echoing song. . .

When I’m finally and forever home. . . 

And the glory will have no end.

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For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;

then we shall see face to face. 

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, 

even as I am fully known.

- 1 Corinthians 12:12

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Be Still

Shine His Light

There is just something about the light. . .

how it changes everything it touches.

The sun finally bursting through gloomy cloud-cover on a dark and dreary day, sparking hope in a weary heart. . .

The breaking of dawn, when the edge of the horizon cracks just a bit open and the beautiful watercolors of morning begin their ascent up the paper sky. . .

Sunlight that catches on soft waves, suddenly setting the whole surface glittering like a thousand faceted gems. . .

The flame of a single candle piercing through the thickest darkness. . .

And there are countless other moments when the light can simply take our breath away.

Light makes our world more beautiful. 

And when the Light of the World 

is shining on us, 

and in us, 

and through us? 

Oh - the beauty we carry with us!

Along with the power to change our world.

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When Jesus spoke again to the people, 

he said, “I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, 

but will have the light of life.” 

 - John 8:12

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Spring Unfolding

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But He dispatches His word, and the thaw begins; 

at His command, the spring winds blow, 

gently stirring the waters back to life.

- Psalm 147:18 (The Voice)

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The Eternal One will never leave you; 

He will lead you in the way that you should go. 

When you feel dried up and worthless, 

God will nourish you and give you strength. 

And you will grow like a garden lovingly tended; 

you will be like a spring whose water never runs out.

- Isaiah 58:11 (The Voice)

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