Genesis 31:55
Early the next morning, Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left, and returned home.
When daughter, Sarah, and her husband, John, depart for South Carolina with the three beloved granddaughters on March 1st, Danny and I have every hope of seeing them again during their April spring break. "It's not that far away," I reassure Virginia. "We can make it!"
But weeks turn into months, and the months seem like years in the wake of this persistent virus. Because of preexisting conditions regarding his heart, Danny cannot safely travel. We are stuck at home, not even getting out to the store, but having our groceries delivered. Yes, we can take walks in the neighborhood, and the occasional drive to rev up the cars and for a change of scenery, but this is, for now, our story.
I want to lose hope, but then I remember Laban. When he kissed his daughters and grandchildren good-bye, he certainly understood that he would never see them again. I can't even begin to imagine the pain and sorrow he endured at their parting. Until the end of his days, Laban most likely conjured up images in his mind as to how his daughters and grandchildren were growing, playing, loving, and laughing. Living lives in which he would never again take part.
Thankfully, Danny and I aren't confined to such a fate, and thus, this poem is born.
Beyond
When I see your face
Hear your voice
I long to reach beyond
Tech connection
Beyond Face Time
Touch, hug
Scent of perfect love
Remembered
Recalled, desired
Beyond measure
Beyond, you are
But not forever
Amen
After the Resurrection Jesus was raised to Heaven in full sight of His disciples. They’d been with Him for three years or so. Saw Him preach and heal the sick. Witnessed His arrest, death and Resurrection. And now … He was gone.
ReplyDeleteThey must have missed Him very badly as they walked back to their homes. Confusion, fear and doubts must have crossed their minds several times. He is gone … and He is missed.
Missing somebody is a sign that their presence had an influence on our life, our well-being and our happiness. Their absence now has created a void in your life. An emptiness, and a longing to be with them once again.
We’ve all missed someone at one time or another in our lives. It is usually someone who has been kind to us. Take heart, Martha, my friend. This virus that is keeping us all apart from our loved ones will not last for ever. God knows how we feel and He is by our side - always. Perhaps He is teaching us, through these difficult times, to be kinder to each other more.
Praying for you and yours, Martha. God bless you all - always.
And ... in my case ... I look at the positive side ... the mother-in-law has not landed in our house on her broomstick for a while.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you, Victor, for these encouraging words. I can only imagine how bereft Jesus' disciples felt when they witnessed Him being taken away from their presence, yet because of the Holy Spirit, they could continue to live in closeness to Him. What a gift! Oh, and I won't tell your MIL what you penned here - lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, my dear Martha, I know you are missing those grand-girls so much, as I am sure they are also missing you. They grow up so quickly. Praying this won't last much longer. But isn't the new technology wonderful, that you can communicate face to face with each other? I know it isn't perfect, but at least it is something. I never had such a close relationship with my grandmothers, even though one lived about 10 miles away...we just weren't "close" like you have been with your sweet girls. And my other grandma was way far away in Ohio and we were in Florida. We would only visit in the summer, and she was not well so we really didn't "visit". I played outside with my cousins who would come over when we were there. And my only grandson is 1500 miles away, turning 21 yrs old this fall. We rarely talk anymore...he's just too busy. Praying you will soon be able to see your sweet girls again and spend time laughing and hugging and enjoying each other's presence, but until then, enjoy those precious moments on facetime or however you communicate. Every encounter is priceless. (((hugs))) to you today. You are a precious grandmother who loves her grand-girls so much.
ReplyDeleteEvery encounter IS precious, Pamela, whether in person or on Face Time. In fact, we will be doing that this afternoon, and I can't wait! Thank you for sharing what it was like for you as a child regarding your grandmothers. I grew up far away from mine, too, seeing them only once a year. Can't help feeling there is so much I missed out on, but I do remember them fondly. I knew your grandson did not live close by, and that, I'm sure, has been a hardship in many ways. Who knows? Maybe, when he finishes college and gets a job, he will settle near you!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I feel for you Martha. Seeing our grandson only upon occasion has Jo longing for more. But ministry is here. I thank God you can still connect if only by media, but some day soon you will see them and the connection will be alive. And then you will really get to see how they have grown!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bill, for your kind words here. I know you all miss your grandson, too. I'm very happy today because we have a Face Time call planned with them this afternoon. It's such a help in times like these.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love your close, "But not forever!" Amen, Martha!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of that bittersweet scene in Fiddler on the Roof: "Papa, God alone knows when we shall see each other again ... to which her father responds: "Then we will leave it in His hands." (That never fails to make my eyes wet.)
Oh, I'd forgotten that scene in Fiddler on the Roof, Mevely! Yes, that was a tearjerker, indeed. I do so hate being separated from our family, but God will reunite us in His good time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Ditto on Mevely's comment.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking back to when I lived overseas and communication was limited to old fashioned letters (and a rare expensive phone call). I left a trail of good friends in several countries, and now we can email in seconds and send photos. So different, isn't it, to be able to talk and see those far away?! Not the same for sure, but so much easier to stay in close communication.
Yes, our modern technology has made it so much easier to stay in touch with those we love, Galen, and I'm very grateful for it. I remember when my father took us to see the movie "2001 - A Space Odyssey" and I saw the clip with the phone call over the television, I turned to my Dad and asked, "Do you think that could happen in the future?" Well, sure enough, it did!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This pandemic has sure sucker-punched so many who are missing loved ones. I feel so bad for sons and daughters who can only see parents through the window of an assisted living facility and those who can't be with loved ones in the hospitals. It is hard for so many, including those of us missing our grandchildren. Loved your poem, Martha Jane!
ReplyDeleteYes, Terri, my heart breaks for those folks, too, especially the elderly confined to homes. We know it's for their safety, but what's the quality of any life if you can't see loved ones? Praying this virus just goes away. So glad you enjoyed the poem!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, dear Martha. I miss my loved ones out of state and my sweet little grandson. I also miss seeing the updates here on your blog about those beautiful granddaughters of yours. Praying for you and praying for our nation in light of the pandemic and the other troubling issues.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your lovely poem, too!
Blessings on you and Danny <3
It sounds like we are definitely in the same boat, Beckie. I know you are missing your wonderful grandson and his family as much as I'm missing my grands and their mom and dad. Know that I'm praying for you and yours during these troubling times, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh it must seem like eternity for you not seeing the grandkids. I never thought about Laban the way you presented it and now realize how hard that must have been. My hope for you is that once this is over it will be that much sweeter in person. Praise the Lord however for some technology as without FaceTime and internet it would be a very barren desert. Wishing you a spark of joy today and maybe some old photos will cheer you up some😀❤️🌹💐🙏🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteYes, Valerie, Face Time has been a God-send! We just used it yesterday, and it really and truly helps my heart and Danny's. I hate the thought of wishing the days away so we could be reunited quickly, but sometimes, I get to that point. May we all come out on the other side of this mess with a greater perspective and love for God.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Amen and amen. There is always hope in seeing each other again, the longer the wait, the greater the joy!
ReplyDeleteYes, Marja, the joy WILL definitely be great when we can all be together again.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, this is a beautiful and heart-felt post. Yes, missing those we love is painful--that is the cost of love. I can't say that I have family members that I miss; I do have friends that I miss deeply and long to see them again.
ReplyDeleteToday's tech helps but it's not like being physically together. Thinking about how family members said good-bye to sons, daughters, grandchildren--never to see them again--during the westward migration or those who immigrate to America or those who serve on the mission field or in the military, especially in the years before technology made possible keeping in touch.
Love and blessings!
Oh, Kim, what difficult and painful choices our ancestors made in leaving their homeland and family behind. I can't imagine their pain! Yes, being in touch virtually is a gift we don't treasure enough. Nothing is better than being physically present, as God created us for relationship, but in these trying times, it certainly helps bridge the gap.
DeleteLove and blessings!
One of the greatest challenges of these days has been not being able to spend time with those we love. I loved your reminder though that all these things will pass away; and with God's grace, we'll have eternity with our loved ones praising our Lord and Savior.
ReplyDeleteYes, J. D., this, too, shall pass. I'm clinging to hope for a brighter future for all of us in these trying times.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSame to you!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I hope you get to see your precious granddaughters again soon! We were supposed to go to Colorado to see my grandson in April, but of course, that was canceled. Now we are supposed to go out the end of this month for his birthday. we canceled our flight and were considering driving, but even that sounds kind of scary with all the virus hot spots right now. Crazy times, indeed. Blessings!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Laurie, I know how disappointed you feel in not being able to see your grandson on his birthday! I will be missing Virginia's and Alexandra's this year for the first time ever, as they both have July birthdays. Savannah's was back in April, so of course, we missed that one, too. Yes, these are crazy times, and I'm praying they will pass soon.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, Martha, like I said before, I can't even imagine the wait you've endured, even to this point.
ReplyDeleteBeyond you are
But not forever
So beautiful and hopeful!
Thank you, Karen, for your kind and sympathetic words here. And honestly, I'm so happy for you being able to see your precious grands like you can. Always brightens my day when I see your photos of them on Facebook!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Dear Martha! My heart just breaks for you. I cannot imagine being separated from the ones I love most for such an extended period of time. This thing is just awful, and it is wreaking so much havoc in the normal run of life. I never dreamed it would drag on so long. The cases in our county are really spiking, and it is worse than it has ever been. May God have mercy on us all. I continue to speak Psalm 91 over us daily and plead the blood of Jesus. He is our only hope!
ReplyDeleteI never dreamed it would last so long either, Cheryl. Yes, I'm praying every day that God would move mightily in this nation, to both quell the unrest and demolish this virus. May He have mercy on all of us!
DeleteLove and blessings!
beautiful poem. I too long for my grandkids hugs and kisses and the sounds of their giggles and voices.
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