GOLDEN DIRT ROAD

the golden dirt road

been to Walmart this morning after our "date" to McD's and Dirt Cheap, waiting for Melanie to grocery shop, looking through the $5 CD display -- found John Denver's Greatest Hits!  "... we have that, I think ..."  "... don't care; buying it ..."

now, I am jotting down a few thoughts at my laptop, as Melanie sings along with John in the kitchen, putting up the mark-down meat she found.  She knows the words to every song!  taking us back to the '70's ... Time is ticking away.  Nostalgia is such a powerful tug on the heart!  taking us back to when we were just dating...

ever seen "What Dreams May Come"?  in this movie, the afterlife is whatever you personally imagine it to be, different for each individual, depending on their earth-life experiences.  reminds me of a small-group Bible talk I did once, mentioning that, for me, Heaven would be BBQ and bluegrass music -- to which one dear sister, from a different ethnic background, retorted, "... sounds more like Hell, to me!"  we all just laughed.

But, I sit here, listening to Melanie and John harmonize, wondering what a dirt road looks like with golden gravel and dust?  "... take me home, country roads ..."  Look for me and Mel at the end of a golden dirt road, admiring the garden of God, sipping on some ice tea on our front porch ... remembering poems, prayers, and promises ... the sunshine makes me happy ...  now this is a real "rocky mountain high"! ...

thank you, Jesus, for the place you have prepared for me!

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The Anvil

The Anvil

            I sat there, alone, in the stillness of the quiet, dark shop.  Absent were all the sounds, smells, and commotion that filled the place every day.  Rather than enjoy the rest, I was fussing, fuming and fighting with myself.  Why?  Why was this my lot?  My place?  Surely, I was meant for something else?

            Gone were the customers; but, I could still hear them bragging, posturing, comparing, competing.  “… check out this biodag Smithie made for me!  Now, that’s a dirk...”  “... agh!  Just take a look at this claidheamohmor Smithie sold me!  Now, that is quality ...”  “... would you just get out of the way;  I need this plow repaired ...”   On and on and on it goes!  The hammering.  The noise.  The heat and smoke ...

            But, I am just an anvil.  My top is smooth from all the banging.  The hammers get all the action.  I just sit here, atop this block, and absorb the impacts.  The tools are repaired.  The knives are carefully fashioned into desired weapons.  But, I am “just an anvil”?!

            Daylight is peeking in through the shop door.  And, there is Smithie, already stoking the coal fire for the day’s work.  Here he comes in my direction.  “... good morning, my old friend!  Another day of beating and banging.  But, I can always count on you.  Hammers come and go.  Many a plow and scythe have been repaired on your faithful frame.  Without you, many farms would be in trouble.  And, the knives keep the lasses busy with supper.  Sorry to abuse you; but, I need you to mold and form all these others.  If there is a flaw in your metal, surely it has been beaten out, long since annealed, work-hardened!”

            I am so  sorry and ungrateful, blind to my special place.  I get to be with Smithie every day.  Only on Sundays is he absent.  I guess he himself needs to be at the “Great Forge” occasionally?  But, together, we are making this place so much better.  I’d rather be an anvil, than a hammer, and moreso, rather than a broken plow.  Bring the noise, the heat, the hammering ... let’s fix some plows and cutlery!

BEAUTIFUL BRIDE

BEAUTIFUL BRIDE

          With awed anticipation, the elders, the living creatures, the seraphim, the cherubim, … all creation sat hushed as the Groom entered the sanctuary.  At his side were his attendants, Michael and Gabriel.  Waiting for them, center-stage, the Ancient of Days raised his hands for all to stand as she stepped into the room, making her way forward, slowly, eagerly, anxiously, incredulously …

          Relegated to some dark balcony, the demons, who had often hissed about her faults and blemishes, could almost see through their distorted eyes, but only almost.  She glanced in their direction, and caught her breath, only for a moment.  (but, like Daniel’s lions, their mouths are sealed)  She marveled, “… how did this day ever get here?  I do not deserve Him …”  Then, she looked toward Him, and her heart skipped a beat!

          A smile, as wide as the cosmic horizon, came across His face. What He sees is His “Beautiful Bride” dressed in white, perfect and radiant.  He vowed his love, forever, completely, and boundlessly!  And, then they dance together, swaying and waltzing up into the stars.  There will be no midnight for the magic to end!

 

"I see you dressed in white!"