Monday, December 13, 2021

One in Love

 


Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves. ~Romans 12:10


When we arrive at Sarah and John's home, Virginia greets us with this drawing featured above, and it's obvious she's put so much thought and effort into crafting it.  We are, of course, beyond delighted and honored.  We've missed her more than words can express, yet she has tried to communicate the vacuum that she, too, has experienced in her heart with this tangible reassurance.

Virginia's favored channel of communication is art, but mine is words.  Here is the poem that bubbles up after receiving this special gift.


I've waited, counting days

Until you come and hold

Enfold me in your arms

As we did for years

When we lived close

And never gave a thought

To separation; distance

Does not define our bond

We are one in heart

We are one in spirit

We are one in love


No, distance will never define us.

Love will.

May you all be surrounded by God's love during the Christmas season and in the New Year.

Amen!

45 comments:

  1. So well put Martha. Distance will never define us...love will. I have a 15 y/o grandson that I miss seeing more often but I'm thinking he would not be on the same wave length as Virginia. :) I sure hope he misses me because I miss him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure he does miss you, Bill! Boys are different, as we both know, and we practically raised Virginia the first five years of her life, so the bond is extremely strong.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. How precious and significant - in this day and age - is your love of your family, Martha. I love your poem. Love was communicated. Hugging you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you enjoyed the poem, Diane! Yes, family is everything and I so cherish the bond we have with Virginia.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. Wonderful poem. Feelings well expressed. Thank you Martha. Your sentiments echo in many hearts.

    Wishing you and your family great happiness now and always.

    God bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words about the poem, Victor. Wishing you and yours all happiness, too!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. Oh my! Virginia's art talent is superb! What a wonderful picture and it conveys so much love! I think it ought to be framed! And your poem is perfect to go along with it. Frame them together and make a copy of both for Virginia to keep always. Very special indeed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is such a great idea, Pam! I think I'll do just that. :)
      Yes, Virginia is quite talented, I agree.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  5. Such a sweet picture and poem! God bless you, Martha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your kind words, Cheryl!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  6. Both your words and little Miss Virginia's art have melted my heart this morning sweet friend. I see a children's book in your future, and the author and illustrator are well known to one another. :-) God's blessings dear family; and Merry CHRISTmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's definitely a good idea for someday down the road, J. D.! I'll mention it to Virginia when we Face Time today.
      So very glad the drawing and the poem touched your heart, my friend.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  7. That's so precious ... a keeper, for sure. I love what JD's suggested, too. 'Yes' vote from your 'Bama neighbor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, indeed, Myra, J. D. has a great idea here. Thanks for the vote of confidence from "Bama," even though I'm still upset they beat Georgia a few weeks ago. Boo! :)
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  8. Having moved from VA to TN and left so many of our friends and family, spiritual and otherwise, behind, your words resonate in my heart this morning. Indeed, distance doesn't define us and neither does it accomplish the separation that is often attributed to it. Thanks, Martha, for saying it so eloquently.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad that this post resonated with you today, Ron. No, distance cannot separate us ultimately from those we love when that love runs so deep. So glad, too, that nothing can separate us from God's unending love.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  9. Your poem is lovely. There are no separating boundaries with one you love so dearly. Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family. God bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Nells, for your kind words. Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  10. Simple offerings from grandchildren are often the best gifts of all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I second that, Glynn, without reservation.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  11. Boa tarde Martha. Obrigado pela visita e carinho. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho maravilhoso. Desejo muita saúde para você e sua família.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words here, Luiz.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  12. I love her art and I love your poem! Amen, amen, amen! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Terri, you are so kind! Yes, let's utter an "amen" to the beauty that God's love gives to us.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  13. Dearest Martha Jane,
    It sure was wonderful for being able to visit 'in the flesh' and for hugging like before.
    Both of us have managed to 'love' across the Oceans and it sure works.
    Guess it teaches you how to be strong in Faith!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mariette, being separated by distance does, indeed, teach us how to love and bond beyond the miles. Once God has placed a loved one in our hearts, that strong bond is ever there. I'm just so grateful that He gave Danny and me the opportunity to hug our loved ones in person so recently. I can't thank Him enough!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  14. ooo this is so good, Martha. Yes love, love, love. Merry Christmas, dear friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love is the message, the moment, the meaning, Jean, that's for sure! We are so treasuring all of our time with family, however brief it was in the perspective of our lives.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  15. What a beautiful poem, Martha! It says it all!
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Lulu, I'm glad you liked it. :)
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  16. Enjoy this season Martha, with your precious loved ones!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Marja, we had such an incredible visit with the family, creating many lasting memories.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  17. Enjoy this beautiful seasonw ith those you love best. Such a precious share. Thank you for being such a sweet friend. We could use prayers, my sweet AVery has a head cold and must wear the mask all day long and his asthma is absolutely out of control. Thank you as I love you being a prayer warrior. Enjoy your visit and the blessed CHRISTmas holidays. LOVE & PRAYeRS to you too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will most certainly add Avery to my prayer list, Anne - how awful to have to wear a mask all day, especially when one is sick! Hope all clears up quickly.
      Yes, we did so enjoy our family time. It came and went so fast, but the memories linger.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  18. Amen, Martha. May God's love continue to define who we are, how we communicate, how we share our gifts, how we serve others.

    I love that Virginia is a creative just like her Grandma. God is so good to have blessed us with grandchildren. Our hearts overflow, even if we can't be together as much as we'd like.

    Merry Christmas to you, to yours, cherished friend. I am so grateful to walk this journey with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grandchildren most certainly are a blessing from God, Linda. Yes, if I had my druthers, I'd see my grands every day, but sadly, that's not in the cards. I'll just be content in and thankful for the time we so recently did share together.
      Merry Christmas to you and yours, sweet friend!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  19. SO touching, Martha. I pray distance does not define the bond between us and one of our granddaughters who lives seven (large) states away. The other two live near by and we see them quite often, but we both know how quickly they grow and who knows where they will end up? With you I praise God for every opportunity to enjoy their company and make memories together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy, I'm so glad to know that you have some grands nearby - I was so spoiled for years with my daughter and her husband living close to us. Still, it doesn't stop us from missing those who are farther away. Seven states away is nothing to sneeze at! Needless to say, FaceTime is a God-send. Not the same as in person visits, but certainly a stop gap. And yes, they grow up way too fast. Can we simply place bricks on their heads? :)
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  20. Oh, Martha! I just love the beautiful bond you have with the girls. This is so touching.
    Wishing you, Danny, and your precious family a blessed Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beckie, it is a bond that cannot be broken. I'm just sorry that we are so many miles away from one another right now. Yet, I'm so grateful for our ability to visit during Thanksgiving, and the memories will last a lifetime.
      Thank you for your beautiful note on your Christmas card; know I feel like I know you in person, too, though we've never met. God's plans will tell the tale.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete

. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

  . . . Good tidings of great joy . . . ~Luke 2:10 Pictured above are my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, John, and their three girls, Virginia,...