The Broken Hearted

We lit the first Hanukkah candle last night. My kids love being Jews who believe the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus) has come. They get to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. Asherel was feeling mournful since it was the anniversary of the day John Lennon was shot, so I was glad that her Hanukkah gift was a Beatles' folder.

First we light the "shamash", the servant candle, and then we use the shamash to light the first candle of Hanukkah. I love the symbol of the servant slowly bringing light to an entire world of candles. I also love how the shamash is placed in a little holder higher than the other candles of a hannukiah. One would not normally think of a servant as higher than those it serves. What a perfect symbol for Yeshua, who came to serve and who we serve and glorify in the end. I hoped the pretty ceremony, bible verse, and Beatles folder lifted the gloom for Asherel.

It had been a somber day for me as well. I knew it was the anniversary of John Lennon's death, and that actually made me a little sad too. Such senseless waste of a troubled but talented man. But that was not the only reason for my somber-ness. I drove out to visit Comer, my 93 year old newly widowed friend, who now was fading rapidly in a hospice center. He did not clasp my hand this time, when I said hello. He didn't open his eyes. However, he breathed rapidly, and his mouth moved as though he wanted to speak. I knew he could hear me and knew I was there. So I talked to him as though he could respond. I told him about the beautiful summer like weather, the preparations for Christmas, the gorgeous salon haircut Asherel had gotten. And I told him that I had finished the proofing of his book, and it was now online, and in print, live and available. He breathed rapidly and his mouth moved. I hope that meant he was excited to hear that news.

So in honor of my friend Comer, his second poetry e-book is now available for free for the next two days-
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AKZNYS0

His print book is available as well, and any proceeds go to his account. I hope and pray that he will miraculously recover and be able to use that money. But I don't hold a lot of hope for that, really. At age 93, with the love of his life now dancing unencumbered with Jesus, the world may have lost its allure.

As we lit the Hanukkah candles, I said a silent prayer for Comer, that the One who could light the darkness was even now flickering in Comer's midst. May He be in your's, and in mine, the Servant who would be King.

Proverbs 18:14 (NIV)
The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

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