Dear Reader:

Yesterday I told you my day would be spent in the garden… remembering my younger brother and the 21 years of life he was given on this earth. Not enough for those who loved his gentle, loving nature. I miss David every day of my life.

As I took this title picture mid-morning…I noticed the morning sun had formed the shadow of a cross right at the entrance to the garden…a God Wink or reaffirmation to spend the day in reverie…in harmony with nature in my garden.

Then I had the sweetest surprise …Anne had driven by and left a bag on the back deck table, apparently very early in the morning…Anne is a morning person…she texted to let me know to check on it before the day got too warm.

There was a novel by a popular author we are switching off reading…banana nut bread, and a copy of a devotional Anne had read and thought  would be appreciated  on this anniversary of my brother’s departure.

The devotional was titled  “The Poem of God” and it had a statement in it that Anne thought would be of comfort to me and help me understand the “Why?” questions that plague us following a loved one’s death…especially one at such an early age.

(Resource: The Book of Mysteries  – Jonathan Cahn)

The conversation starts off between a student and a teacher on a rock by a campfire…a poem is being read and the teacher asks if the student recognizes it…it is called the “Poem of God.”

The student replies he didn’t know God wrote poetry.

The teacher replies it is written in the scriptures…and the poem tells us that we are all God’s “Workmanship.”

The student shakes his head and mutters he doesn’t get it.

The teacher responds:

“You wouldn’t in English…but in the original Greek it says we are His “poiema” which means that which is made, something fashioned, crafted together, someone’s workmanship, as in a masterpiece.

“From poiema comes the word poem.”

The “Poem of God is “You”…it is “Me.” If you become His work.

You see, you can either live trying to make your life your own work, or you can let your life become His workmanship. A poem can not write itself or lead itself. 

So to become the Poem of God, you must let your life emanate from the Author of your life. You must let it flow out of the heart of God.

You must follow His will above your own, and His plan above your own. You must let His Spirit move you and His love become the impulse of all you do. Then your life will flow as it was meant to flow, with rhyme and beauty, and you’ll become His masterwork…the Poem of God. 

So until tomorrow…

Let your life this day be led and written by God. Move at the impulse of the Author and in His flow. Live as the Poem of God.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Anne added a note at the bottom of the copy…“Perhaps God’s Workmanship in David was complete.”

I also received the sweetest messages from many of you and Brooke called so we could remember David together…she was like another big sister to him and we three had many fun adventures together…David adored Brooke. It was so fun remembering the happy times together.

Lynn Gamach sent a very healthy hug from Canada and sweet  remembrance….thank you Lynn…thank you all.

As I stared at the early morning breezes blowing the blossoms on the flowers and the vines and stems from the plants…there was an almost harmonic, rhythm… like a tune or prose being played out right in the garden.

While yesterday I still mourned the loss of time for my brother… I should have realized he had already accomplished everything he was put on earth to accomplish..through his kind, loving presence that brought out the best in everyone he met.

When I later located this John O’Donohue (my favorite Irish poet) poem…I knew I was on the right track of thinking and remembering my brother’s gift of life.

Two different authors…the same conclusion. A beautiful God Wink.

Here is what I saw yesterday as the beauty unfolded while I continued planting, transferring pots and plants, watering, and finding my own soul’s rhythm of delight.

***A Very Big Shout-Out to Our Beloved “Mountain Mama” – Honey Burrell who supplies us with pictures of snow for us lowlanders to marvel at and spectacular mountain views for our hearts and souls.

Happy Birthday Honey! And many more…. There is no doubt that one day if we look up the words…kind, loving, or generosity in the dictionary …there will only be a two-word definition by each term-Honey Burrell!

* Now I need the Chapelofhopestories/blog readers to say a prayer for Betsy Clarkson (Crick) ….our ‘little” (next generation) Ya Ya….daughter of Libby who is going through an over-abundance of tests/procedures right now to try and balance out many of her vital  stat numbers…due to the removal of her thyroid and parathyroids- rare malignancy…a few years back

She has since been on artificial drug treatments to simulate what was removed…but lately this balancing act has faltered and the family could sure use your prayers that the medical staff can find the right proportions to get her body regulated again. Everything is a domino effect right now.

Thank you so much….her family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts.