A Perpetual Feast

Several weeks ago we celebrated our twin grand babies first birthday. Friends and family gathered together at our home, digital cameras captured cherished moments; frosting on faces, gifts in bright bags, good cheer around. Our granddaughter, just shy of one year joined the party from Virginia, a picture on cell, it worked its charm. Spills on the floor didn't matter. Bits of cake crumbles between sofa cushions, no problem. We rejoiced in the birth of the boys, their presence with us. Curious George cutouts dangled from the ceiling. After a bit, back pain forced me into a chair. Look up! Handmade yellow, blue and red Happy Birthday banner strung across the wall. One birthday boy chased after blue ball, the other sat on his knees, laughter spilling onto the floor. What presents? Rising to chat with a guest, the back pain resumed. Look up! I am looking I whispered back. The party ended, guests left and my husband cleaned the mess. #417 Husband who cleans up party mess. Max Lucado says it well: "We must trust God. We must trust not only that He does what is best, but that He knows what is ahead." Look up! He says. He outpaces me and I cannot reach, but my pen takes notice. My pen has supernatural power.  #465 Grandma teaches one-year-old boy the high-five #475 exercises that retrain silent muscles. A tear slides, lands in His palm. Trust me. The banner stays strung, Curious George grins wide from above. How long will I keep hurting I wonder while gazing at the monkey face on paper napkins. He knows what lies ahead. While hope girds the heart I wait, and wait. Keep pace, write it down, the good, the hard, the monkey faces. "Cultivate the thankful spirit! It will be to you a perpetual feast," encourages John MacDuff. Trading tears for the promised feast I catch the glimpses, boys tossing balls, husbands helping hand , Curious George in play. Affliction eclipsed by the beautiful. Perhaps in the midst of our suffering, our unanswered prayers, He can finally reach us, palm to palm, and joyfully teach us how to fly. #500 Wings on hummingbird, thrumming, thrumming.