You arrived along with the spring flowers in April. Your parents and brothers welcomed you with joy˗˗a wee redheaded girl with big eyes eager to take in the world. Your childhood holds some of my clearest early memories. Most cherished are scenes and stories from your imagination. You skipped through the veil between fantasy and reality like a fairy child, happy living in tales of your own weaving. Your parents hurried you along when you dawdled, immersed in your inner world. They did not realize their little girl’s whimsical fancies were the dawning of a deep inner life. Now you hold my hand in the twilight before I sleep, telling myself stories to calm my mind, as you once did. You will always be a part of me.
With young womanhood came your awakening to the possibility of romantic love. You ran fast after it, thinking all questions would be answered through the heart, but found it to be a tender organ, quick to bruise and slow to heal. If you had realized then that your heart’s longing could only find true fulfillment in one perfect Man, Jesus Christ, much suffering may have been averted. Eventually you embraced a new life in Christ, but not before your heart was trampled and thrown aside. I still live with the scars of that broken heart, now made whole because of the healing love of Jesus.
Becoming a mother gave your creative imagination a chance to blossom again. Tea parties with dolls, playing pirates in the forest, and stories before bedtime; these brought you delight through the eyes of your children. You entered into their world, not just as their mother but as a fellow creative who sparked their imaginations with what if’s and let’s pretend. You have reason to be proud of their adult accomplishments as musicians, artists, and writers.
When you learned to read and write as a child, a way opened for you to express your inner world through the written word. It came as naturally to you as breathing. You dreamed of a career as a journalist, however, marriage and family set that dream aside.
No need to think you failed, though, because from my vantage point I see God’s perfect timing in those dreams now coming to fruition in my golden years. The day is here when all you learned in your walk with Jesus gives you much to share with others through your writing. But first you will go through the refiner’s fire. Refining will reveal depths of God’s character and purposes only suffering brings to light. I guarantee it will be worth it all to know the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. (Romans 11:33 NIV)
I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who calls you by your name, am the God of Israel. (Isaiah 45:3 NKJV)
It seems just a short time ago you were a little girl swaying on a backyard swing, absorbed in the magical tales of your imagination. Soon you and I will experience what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined, when we enter God’s kingdom to see Jesus face to face.
Take courage, dear heart!
From your older self, who loves you always
Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba,
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please note that comments are moderated to deter spam which is why your comment will not appear immediately.
If you sign in using "Anonymous", could you leave your name along with your comment so we know who left it.
Thank so much for taking the time to join in the conversation. We appreciate receiving your feedback on posts you've found helpful or meaningful in some way.