From the 40th chapter of book of Isaiah in the Bible we read:
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry?
All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
This past month I have had several opportunities to see the grass of man fading. My 90year old father’s life is coming to a close… it is not imminent but it is clear that it is coming to an end. Physically and mentally the signs are there that it is fading time.
A few weeks back, our family was honored to sing (with our Goulden ReidS Choir pictured below) at the National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD in the middle of the Wounded Warrior Wing. It was an amazing opportunity to sing for the staff and patients there. At the end of our day, I asked our 8yo what was the best part of her day. She said not the singing. Confused, I asked why not and she replied,” Mom, too many soldiers were missing their legs.” And that was an accurate observation. It was a sobering sight to see all the damage of war. It was a withering place.
I received a Christmas newsletter from friends of mine and the dad has faithfully catalogued the hilarious sayings of both parents and children. One of his interchanges was clearly not from their house but from mine and so I will substitute our names for theirs…
Mary:(Sigh)
Gary: “What’s the matter?”
Mary: “If only my face could be better.”
Gary: “What’s wrong with it?”
Mary:”It looks old.”
Gary: “You don’t look old you look nice. I look old”
There is no denying the fading in the mirror. So whether through aging or through trauma Scripture is true to report that we are withering, fading grass… so where is the comfort in all this …? The human spirit? or the Spirit of the Living God. This month has been a wondrous time to focus on the best possible news. That God has since the foundation of time been pursuing a relationship with us that instead of withering or fading is growing fuller and bigger with time.
In the midst of my decrease the pleasure of HIS increase is my only joy and comfort but it is abundantly overflowing.
9O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
May you sense His faithful gentle leading in 2012.
Decreasingly yours and increasingly His,
Mary