BYOODE-FUL

I'm blessed to be a grandma of four, three boys (my son's) and one girl (my daughter's). The grandboys are in town, so often visit. But the granddaughter, Eleanor, lives four hours' drive away and I don't see her often. Yet she touches my Nana's heart with her drawings and first-grade-prose. Yes, I like hydrangeas, too, Eleanor. I agree: they are a "byoode." I carried a freshly picked hydrangea pompom as a simple, homemade bridal bouquet at my wedding.

Because my husband died just weeks short of our 42^nd anniversary, the wedding memories are especially tender. We were older—34 and 36—and never-married-before when our wedding day came. It was a simple, small ceremony, right down to a home-sewn dress, garden-picked flowers and a potluck reception. A year or so ago, Eleanor's mom posed her holding a “bouquet” of hydrangeas, and I have that photo posted by my kitchen sink. Her recent drawing (with its original spelling—how precious) lifted my heart as I realized this little detail was revived to comfort me. The same for the hydrangea bouquet they left on my table before returning to their home on the other side of the state.

Often when I look at this drawing, now prominently posted in the kitchen, I recall a contemporary Christian song that has come to widespread recognition through singer Twila Paris. She defines “how beautiful” through remembering the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, and how that has translated through the centuries through those who now call themselves “Christian”--followers of Jesus.

The song's rhymes are simple, but profound. Sacrifice. He paid the price. The singer reminds us of Jesus' tender eyes, hands that healed, and a heart that bled. My prose doesn't do justice to the song. It's best just listened to, maybe sung along in the heart in a quiet and tender time.

Will there be “byoode-ful” hydrangeas in God's Perfect Place, Heaven? Why not? Or why not something even more amazing in the eternal place God is preparing for those who followed Jesus?

Here are two videos (of many on the internet). In the “YouTube” one, the background is a sunset on the sea. In the other (“Bing”), images of an actor playing the role of Christ, serving, and dying on the cross. Keep a tissue handy and consider watching both.

Howbeautiful by Twila Paris (Lyrics) – YouTube

Howbeautiful by Twila Paris (with lyrics) - Bing video

HALF-WHAT?

Is your life half-full or half-empty? Our answer to that rhetorical question depends a lot on our spiritual walk. That truth came to mind when I read the newsletter that came recently from a Bible translation ministry we support. A lesser person would have given up. But a persecuted man, who loved Jesus with all his heart, soul, and mind, persevered. Reading his story was a “wow” moment.

This man lived in war-torn Africa, part of a tribal community with a language only 26,000 people spoke. Hostilities became so intense that one day his family hastily fled their village with just the clothing they wore. For seven days, night and day, they walked. There was no food and many in their community died of thirst or starvation. One night, half way to a country which would shelter them, they heard gunfire. The group ran one way, but this man sensed a voice telling him to go another. Later he learned his family escaped an ambush that killed hundreds.

Settling into a refugee camp in another country, he started working with some Bible translators who wanted help with his language. Then, the translators had to flee to a safer area. Compelled to continue, he and another man rode bikes 200 miles to continue their work with the translators.

The rebels didn't give up, kidnapping this man and eight others from the translation office. One by one, they killed his companions. One night they came for him—but released him. More trials came his way, but he persevered in his quest to have the New Testament translated into his native tongue.

Thirty years after the translation effort began, the New Testament in his language was published and distributed in a great celebration. Of that event, he said, “At that time, I forgot all the challenges I went through.”

As I finished reading that, the words of Paul came to mind: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13).

Working with the half-full glass of opportunity and skills he was given, he filled it with determination and faith. And finally, his cup runneth over.

A good message, I think, for the fears and inconveniences that have come upon us in the coronavirus pandemic. Half full, and still filling, with Jesus? Or half-empty, and draining, with complaint?