Sitting in the swing this morning eating my bagel and watching the melodious little songbirds. I loved South Carolina’s ocean sky but there’s nothing like my Alabama blue sky. I’m content back on my front porch, perched in my swing.

Psalm 34:18 reads, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” I’ve clung to that scripture today as I’ve wept for the parents who lost children and family members in the floods in Texas. I’ve experienced the heart wrenching unexpected loss of child. The death of a child is a viscous nightmare that clouds God and his sunshine. The grief is overwhelming. Matthew 5:4 states, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Please pray for the families healing. Pray they will learn how to walk in the sunshine of life again. They are just beginning an agonizing journey.

Read this on my friend Ruth Ann’s Facebook page this afternoon. “One of the greatest gifts of growing older is discovering the exquisite art of being alone. What used to feel like uncomfortable silence has become a luxury. In a quiet house, I can dance in the kitchen without anyone judging, or simply do nothing at all. My best company is myself: with a cup of coffee, a good movie, and the freedom just to be. Because solitude isn’t an absence — it’s fullness and peace of mind,” Helen Mirren. I love this quote.

I think we can find God in the solitude of our days, feel his presence by quieting distractions and opening our hearts. Life is busy and full of intrusions but when we find a quiet moment for prayer, God is always receptive. We can listen for God through prayer, reflection, and scripture reading. When we hear his voice we can trust in his guidance.

The night before Chief died I was awakened in the darkness from sleeping by a large warm hand pushing me to sit up in the bed. I was ill with the Covid, too, so maybe it was a dream, but I know I felt the warmth of that hand on my back. I knew it was God’s hand and I’ll never be convinced it wasn’t. Sitting up I heard a comforting voice say, “Chief is going to die, Lane, but you will be fine. Go home to your family.” As I drove home from the hospital after Chief died, I remembered the warmth of that hand. I had not thought of that experience till Chief died. I can still feel God’s hand and hear his voice. He holds my hand and walks with me on my journey of widowhood. I end my prayers each night asking God to tell Chief I love him and miss him. Isaiah 49:16 states, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.”

I think of God’s hands as large and warm, callused and strong, brown from the sun’s rays, guiding and protecting us. Bible scripture states, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’” We can rest easy in God’s hands.“With a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever,” Psalm 136:12. 

“Those who leave everything in God’s hand will eventually see God’s hand in everything.” — Anonymous