Faithful Promises

Comer called me yesterday- his 93rd birthday is Sunday. The Home is having a party for him and he wanted to invite me. I felt wretched- but I can't go. He covered masterfully, but I could still detect disappointment in his voice. We have the dog agility trial all day, and then we race out of that if it ends early to go to Asherel's Scholastic Art Gold key award ceremony. Then we will try to make Sunday night church. I just saw Comer earlier in the week, but he hadn't mentioned his birthday. I sent him a card when I found out, but I felt really bad. I know I am one of his few links to a life he cherished and had to give up here in the neighborhood. Too many commitments! Sometimes, there is not enough of me to go around.

Yesterday, I sat in the carpool lane waiting for Asherel to come out of her Driver's Ed class. I noticed that while our neighborhood trees are bursting with blossoms, the trees around the school were all still bare limbed. It was a sunny 70 degree day, but the trees still looked like winter. Just two miles away, however, lining my neighborhood streets, the Bradford Pear trees were all bowing under the heavy load of white flowers exploding from every branch. Sometimes one is just a few paces away from joy and not even aware of it. Disappointing hardships and hopes deferred are beginning to weigh on my spirit lately. I empathized with those naked, forlorn trees.

I think God was talking to me as I drew those bare limbed trees. Right now, some things feel like they are fruitless, hopeless even, comfortless, barren...but just around the corner, there is fullness of joy, the sweet scent of burgeoning promise of renewal, the beauty and promise of rich and fertile hope and rebirth. Even those naked limbs before me would be unfurling soft green leaves within a few short weeks.

I wonder if I manage to live 93 years on earth, I will ever keep the promise of spring so securely in my heart that I won't feel dismay when the sun shines but it seems to be extending its life giving warmth everywhere except where I am standing....that all the trees are flowering except those right before me?
"I can't make the party Comer, much as I want to! But in two Mondays, can I take you out and we will celebrate then?"
"That would be grand! I will look forward to that!" he said.
Then Asherel came out of her class, and we drove back to the bowers of heavily laden Bradford Pear trees, arching over the street like a cathedral.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

-save a dog- hollowcreekfarm.org