A dear man, Samson Gonzaga, went home to heaven four days ago. Yesterday we celebrated his life in a memorial service, where his wife, children, and grandchildren gave their tearful good-byes to him. The tributes given spoke of a life that was not lived in vain... up to the very end, God was faithful to this man and all who loved him.
A week ago, my fourth grandchild was born. In heaven she is known as Shalom, the Peaceful One. What a breath of fresh air this little baby girl brings to my heart! I can look at her gentle face for hours. Her quiet presence seems to whisper a promise: that God's peace walks with us on the journey called life.
At the same time, this week I became painfully aware of a young couple, friends close to me, whose marriage is falling apart. So much pain and wounding, aggravated by anger and resentment. How I have prayed for the healing balm of the Holy Spirit, and the shed blood of Jesus, to be poured upon their shattered hearts! There isn't much we can do apart from the work of restoration and transformation that only the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can do.
In the midst of all these, my third grandson turned four months old five days ago. My heart rejoices for the faithfulness of my Abba Father. His goodness knows no bounds; He gives His grace without measure!
Tears of joy in my heart mingle with tears of sadness... Such is life on this side of eternity, making me long all the more for my heavenly homeland. There, sadness and grief have no place.
This morning I listened to a beautiful song by Keith and Kristyn Getty, and my spirit soared once again, filled with hope and gladness. The prayer on the breastplate of St. Patrick at the end of the song brings me so much comfort and assurance. Indeed, all is safe in His loving hands. Heaven's love reigns in the midst of our earthly circumstances.
I offer this morning song to God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit...
Eternal Father, Living Word, Gentle Dove...
the Three in One, and the One in Three...
The Triune God is for me... that glorious thought strengthens me as I start this day.
As my dear grandson Joyful One celebrates his fourth month of life, this beautiful prayer for protection, often ascribed to St. Patrick, is very much on my heart for this little one.
From The Lorica (Breastplate) of St. Patrick
I bind unto myself today the power of God
to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
the Word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, and Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name,
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three,
of Whom all nature hath creation;
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
7 comments:
What a lovely post and powerful prayer.
I love how you wrap each of your children and grandchildren with prayer. They are each blessed to have such a wonderful servant of God as a grandma ♥
Your grandchildren are so beautiful and I love the way you verbalize your prayers for them. Very inspiring. You are an awesome woman of God and cherished friend of mine! May the Lord send you extra hugs this Valentine Weekend!
Love you,
Mary
Congrats on the arrival of your granddaughter, and on the birthday of your grandson!! As I was reading your post, I was reminded that it so reflected life on this side of heaven. Full of joy and sadness, new life and passing on, full hearts and brokenness. I'm so glad that we have our Lord to walk us through it until we meet Him face-to-face!
GOD BLESS!
Christ with me - Christ within me.
Oh yes! We glorify His name above all names!
Oh how I love this baby! He is peaceful, he has wisdom on his brand new face and he brings such joy just to see him. Kiss him for me.
Dearest Lidia,
I'm so happy for you and the precious newborn The Peaceful One.
I so love the way you embrace children, in law children and grandchildren with giving them a special Biblical name. To remind and protect.
Just like St. Patrick's breastplate.
I have a copy myself. Bought in on a trip to Ireland in 1981. I has followed me ever since.
Christ be within me, Christ be around me.
St. Patrick sure was a rare human. He came back to the counrtry where he had been enslaved, and he won the hearts of the Irish till this day.
When then talk about him and the many things he did, it feels like they quote an old friend. A friend they visited yesterday.
Christ in quiet, and Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.
Good Morning, Lidia. What a wonderful post. There is nothing quite as precious as a new babe. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I want you to know I so love the way Christ shines in you. May it be so with me as well. Life runs on opposites: sunrise-sunset, a birth- a death, etc. It is being able to see this that turns my heart to the LORD. He blesses us with both pain and joy, both clouds and rain; always places a SHINY moment within our hands every day. It is up to us to recognize it. Be blessed dear heart. I love you.
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