Micah Baby

Our youngest grandson is usually referred to as "Micah Baby". He is a special guy. Nancy spent the summer picking out his name. It felt like Nancy waited to "pass her baton" to him before heading home August 30.

The hope of his life will often co mingle with the tears we all shed the day they met. And yet. And yet. HE will not let us linger in sorrow forever. After all Micah has a lifetime to live.

Today he was baptised. The service concluded with the song, "Blessed Be the Name," a song we sang at Nancy's funeral. Walking with my grand kids takes me on a road beyond grief. That road includes memories of HIS faithful care in the past, even as we press on toward the higher calling.

Join me in praying that Micah always walks with the One his Amma loved so well.

Graduation Time

Helping a friend prepare to host her daughter's high school graduation party triggered lots of memories. It took me back to leaving Rossville High in 1971. What anticipation, what hope, what fear. The world was about to open up. Where was the journey headed? Who would I walk with? That night I had no idea.

A few weeks ago I graduated from the valley of grief. A new journey has begun. Many new possibilities exist. Many new roads await exploration. Traveling companions are in place. Still, it is thrilling,exhilarating frightening and fun to take these steps. My ultimate comfort is that Jesus still walks with me. The One who is before all things, and in whom all things hold together sets the pace. And He remains the same: yesterday, today and forever. Let's set sail!

waiting in the wings

In less than an hour, we will dispatch seven young people off to their WHM internships, having spent the day preparing them for this adventure. Who knows where they are headed?? I can't say for sure, but I do know that, thirty two years in to this radical journey, the road will be glorious.

So, today I pass the baton to them. Still, I am mindful there are more races to run!

The Glory Road

David wrote the following words when he was pursued by King Saul:

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings

I will take refuge

until the destroying storms pass

Psalm 57:1

There have been moments of living out these words during our journey. Sometimes we just had to rest in HIM while the storm raged. In such a stormy season we found that HE was always merciful. That mercy kept HIS purposes for us intact. It included taking care of us for our good.

There has always been a deeper purpose accomplished through HIS rescue and reconciliation. That purpose led David to cry out:

"Be exalted, O God, above the the heavens.

Let your glory be over all the earth."

(verse 11)

Our journey was always meant to bring HIM fame. As hard as it was Nancy and I believed that HIS fame was spreading to others as the storm raged on.

Now I prepare to walk in a more pleasant plain. I walk with others. It is good to walk this smooth path just now. Nevertheless, I/we will walk for HIS glory whether through blue skies or stormy weather.

Dreaming the Journey Onward

Our WHM work day included setting our house in order to receive the first group of interns headed overseas. This summer we will deploy 20 young adults on six of our fields. Our prayer is that some of these folks will become infected with a desire to take the gospel into hard places all over the world.

Who knows where those budding dreams will lead? Thirty-two years ago a desire to visit Europe took this farm kid to Dublin on a summer mission trip. Now I dare to dream radical dreams on behalf of the next generation. Yes, the journey continues by putting others on the road to who knows where.

Jack Extends Our Journey

Our staff prayer meeting was enlivened by a bouncy 18 month old. Jack Foster joined his parents JJ and Susan to give us a report on their life as WHM staff serving in Spain. We appreciated hearing from Mom and Dad, but Jack stole the show as he moved around our conference room running from one person to the next. We were all caught in the peace and joy that this youngster showed in roaming about the place.

Jack is a wonder child. His mom became pregnant with him only weeks after asking a number of WHM folks to pray that she could conceive and carry a child to full term. That meeting was the last time Nancy and I were with JJ and Susan. Once more I am reminded that, while our chapter has closed, the story continues in the simple play of a little boy.

Hope and Sorrow Foreshadow Joy

This past Saturday I drove to Richmond to celebrate one of the fastest trips home anyone ever took. Baby Gabrielle Ruth Shaffer passed through this earth on May 20, returning to the Father the same day she visited this earth.

God's Word filled this service. I was most struck by this promise from Isaiah 65:

They will not toil in vain

or bear children doomed to misfortune

for they will be a people blessed by the LORD,

they and their descendants with them.

Before they call I will answer;

while they are still speaking I will hear.

We will always know sorrow along this earthy road. But that sadness is tinged with hope for those who know Him. Someday the sorrow will give way to unrestrained eternal joy when his people all arrive Home.