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Yes I've been a rich man, yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dumFriday, December 6, 2013
Psalm 27:1 Tonight we read the Bible together, like we've always done. She is murmuring Bible now. I can barely make it out. "I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Years pass but memories grow stronger. A dark night in the small town where we lived, walking the street on Christmas Eve, carrying cookies. Two old men in their barely livable living room, close to the wood stove that either burned too hot or too cold. When we leave we look through the window, the frost mostly melted. They sit back down by the fire and eat the cookies. Visiting another hospital, one summer afternoon all those years ago. I ask my older friend Sharon what she'd like to hear. "Psalm 27, please." "One thing I ask from the Lord; this is all I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." Days of trouble were mostly all my friend had known, as a black woman in a white town. "He will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock." Another friend gave Marc his US Air Force hat one day. He was very proud of his hat. It was precious to him. Six year old Marc was precious to him too. He drank a lot of beer, and the smell came through his skin. He couldn't hold a job for long, but he liked to share his memories of better days. One day, he quietly passed away. So little fanfare, so many tears. "Do not reject me or forsake me, God my savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." There is no reason for the morning not to come. It will be full of joy as always. Not the jingle jangle joy, but the joy that Jesus brings. God wastes nothing. As the hours pass in our hospital room, she sometimes speaks a few more words. "Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord." I sense, more than see, the edges of dawn along the ice cold window. Our room faces east. Let our heads be exalted, Lord, above the enemies who surround. At your sacred tent we will sacrifice with shouts of joy. Make our voices strong and loud to sing Music for the Lord. |
The hospital hall is dark and quiet. It's nearly midnight, and I've been sitting beside her bed for a long time. Sleeping a little. Quiet while she sleeps too. Just a short walk now, and back to the chair.