Day: November 4, 2016

I love this picture….

It represents so much of our family story.

There is the Friesian flag that represents the roots of my Mom. It is the land in which she was born into and the land she left as a 10 year old girl when her parents immigrated to Sussex New Jersey. For those of you who know a Friesian you understand that there is something about those Friesians. This land will always have a piece of my Mom’s heart. We loved being there together in the spring of 2016.

These two boys are awesome. They are the sons of my oldest brother and my youngest sister. They are a reminder to me of the goodness of God’s gift of family.

Jean Marc and Sonta joined our family 11 years ago and this picture is evident of God’s plan to in intertwine our hearts with Haiti. We find our hearts grateful to a Haitian couple we do not know. Adoption has changed us, shaped us and enlarged our family in wonderful ways.

Isaiah is wearing his Navy sweatshirt. A sweatshirt that speaks to the legacy of Navy in the service of Len, Nick and now Andrew who is at Annapolis Naval Academy. As Isaiah proudly dons his Navy Sweatshirt and as Jean Marc reminds me of God’s provision for our family, they both remind me of Len and how our lives have changed since the car accident that took his life in 2012.

This picture invites me to many places in my heart.

This picture represents the past, present and future.

This picture speaks to God’s plan, presence and provision for us in so many ways.

I wonder if you went and sifted through some of your pictures what picture might be the one that reminds you of elements of your story. I wish I could come over and see and hear your remembering. Give it a try, it is fun and good for your soul.

Last night I was struck by the sound of silence.

I haven’t had much silence in my life these past weeks and so when I got home and turned off all noise, I was struck by the sweetness of the space I created in my soul. I was able to journal, to think, to reflect and to feel. I envisioned scenes and faces of the last weeks that I have held but not had time to be grateful for. I considered the spaces that feel difficult and was able to sort out a bit more clearly where I stand and why.

My time of silence was a gift…..

The sound of silence left me with space in my soul and hope in my heart.

I believe everyone’s sound of silence tells a different story for it comes from within each person’s heart and all it holds.

For some the sound of silence will be difficult to sit with.

For some the sound  of silence awakens deep sorrow and grieving.

For some the sound of silence awakens life changing reflection.

For others the sound of silence brings deep peace and/or uncontainable joy!

For me the sound of silence was able to remind me of what is true in my life, of who God is and who I am. The echo I heard in the silence was that He has created me to be in relationship with people, on the good days and on the hard days.

I was invited to embrace His gift of forgiveness.

I was invited  to embrace redeeming love

I was invited  to reclaim it is well with my soul.

 

This morning I listened to my nieces sing the solid truth in the lyrics below. I have included it for your encouragement today. If you need to seek the song of your soul, consider the sound of
silence so you can hear.

If you need to be reminded about who God is and what is true and the peace He offers….listen to Janneke and Karolyn sing about it.

I am thankful for silence, song and truth.

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