1918. She was born. Nearly a century old smile. Peaking at us. Through the cracked door. Depression. WWII. Famines. Immigrating to the west….unhindering her.
Pale blue eyes. Still sparkling. Like my six year old, cautiously walking into the room. Where electric chair, strolls up meet to her.
Distant in age. Race. Life experience. Unthought of barriers, not keeping us apart.
Thinned skin hands reach out for the pink flowing dress of my Innocent One. Recalling the layers, petticoats, and bows. She once carefully sewed, for her daughters.
And it seems like I was just a child. When my grandma, her same age. Her neighbor. Her friend. Died.
Still, this ninety-four year old neighbor, living many lifetimes. Her eyes dance, with joy. Friend. Grandma-like figure. Wrapped up in an unexplained, four generations long relationship, our family has had with hers.
And isn’t it God who UNITES strangers? After fifty years, four generations later, families still not separating?
Her and my grandma. Neighbors, raising children. Now, her grand-daughter and me. Friends. Heart sisters though we live in two states. Separate. And then, our children. Still teenagers. Texting like best of friends. Though there is no blood relation.
God sent. Family. Sharing over fences. Recipes. Politics. Religion. Until fences couldn’t hold hearts. And lines of property dissolved the walls. And made our two families one.
And I wonder what, a nearly century old wisdom sharer can teach us, this day. Remembering stories of milking cows at 5:30 in the morning, though her husband was only eight. And how blessed it is, to learn the ways….
Of humble. Heart full. Strong in character, unwavering aged ones. Unchanging at the trend-setting revolving door of people, who too often end up, false, in this identity-less world.
Elderly people’s lives, more often, remaining constant. Like rocks. Never moving. Unwillingly changing mission. Lives unshaken by turmoil, hardships, pain, or suffering.
God, the force feared, not estranged from. As a result, God and man. Having no walls, keeping them. Apart.
And could that be it? Why people became family. Friends. “One”, so much more simply. UNITED. In generations before us? Willingly. Coming together. Under His umbrella. Almost effortlessly?
Is it genuine people, seeking a genuine God, that leads us to genuine relationship with other people….regardless of who they are?
And I look at my little one. Sparkling eyes dancing with hers. There in the confinements of that care-taking room.
Hearts blend easily as one. When we let God crush the walls of division in all of us.
And it isn’t until Wise One asks Little One to sing a song….That I truly feel the UNITY of that moment. I sense the presence of a God who made us family….Long before we met.
She starts in. Simple. Pure. With a voice. Unshaken. Intimately in connection with the God who has helped her endure so much…..
And this hymn of childhood UNITES us even more. Four generations in that room.
And we sing on. High pitched Innocent One. Me. My mom. And our heart friend who we are and will forever be one with.
Longing for this glue of the words of this children’s tune, to be the “Kumbaya” of a global harmony. Black. White. Rich. Poor. Neighbors. Friends. Even enemies.
And it is in this knowing. This old one and little child’s voice taking up harmony. That true love grows wings and flies. Ever freely.
This knowing. Truly knowing. That a good God loves me…loves us….That ninety-four year old widows. Adopted daughter. Four generations. Yes, all of us….really….Become family. Become blood. Truly UNITING.
Because it’s not in trying to do “good”…..UNITING happens. It’s in the loving. This God-love that glues even the most unlikely people, close….like family.
Yes, that is what I want around me. People finding love & being drawn to His goodness. A goodness that causes voices to rise singing. Wherever they are.
Because, isn’t the answer to it all, in the words we keep singing?…..
Now it’s time that we are one! Ready to UNITE!?
Unite is a non-discriminatory, all welcoming, No-Rules link up!
1) Share a post (any post)
2) Then, take some time to comment.
3) Plus, if you wouldn’t mind, post a link back to here, or the button, so others can find us!
Thanks for linking up! It’s such a blessing to read all of your posts!
12 Comments
We sang that song in church this past weekend. Love it!
Yes, I think it is genuine people that decide that the reward is greater than the risk to pursue the authentic person inside everyone.
Stephanie – Really!? What a neat “coincidence”. 🙂
Jen – So true. Where “real” meets “real”, that is where the blessings lie, huh, my friend!?
Very beautiful thoughts about love and wisdom and experience crossing age and racial barriers. Bless you,
Gail
Gail – Thanks a ton! It’s always such a blessing when God’s love breaks down walls & builds relationship!
Jen, it is a joy to read the way God gives you to weave your posts together, always about ‘Uniting.’
These lines especially resonated with me, “Is it genuine people, seeking a genuine God, that leads us to genuine relationship with other people….regardless of who they are?”
And the answer is, “Of course!”
What a beautiful post.
Absolutely beautiful Jen! The operative word here…LOVE. It crosses all lines, breaks down every wall and softens hearts! Thanks for sharing my friend…have a blessed week! 😉
Dear Jen
There is one family bond that is stronger than the bond of family, and this is the bond of unity in our Lord Jesus. There we experience what true love really is about! Oh, dear friend, treassure these precious ones in your life!
Much love xx
I love this Jen, “Hearts blend easily as one. When we let God crush the walls of division in all of us.” Isn’t that what being UNITED is all about?! 🙂 True Godly reconciliation means we should be united with people who are not like us; we are no longer strangers-we are all one.
Blessings Jen; enjoy this new month of April! 🙂
Denise
Beautiful!!
I must share these words
For I know it’s in this….”Jesus loves me”,
That walls can’t be risen. Lines can’t be drawn.
Lives can’t be separated, from one another. –so so good!!
WE ALL NEED EACHOTHER!
Oh, this brings tears as I feel so connected with this story. My 98, almost 99, year old Mama just passed on into heaven. The reality of that generation speaks strongly to me, her oldest child. But also, the sweetness of your little one singing to this woman, this grandma, this one who is really a part of your family…across the now invisible fence. When the young would come to visit my Mama in the nursing home, Mama just adopted them all and allowed them in without hesitation. They sat in her recliner and read books that I left on purpose for children, reading aloud to her, engaging in talk with her, playing a game of “hangman” with her, or me, and we were united there in that room for this aged and not well one who loved us no matter.
Thanks for this as it seems to have helped just one more inch in my healing through this grief. Caring through Christ, ~ linda
“Jesus love me this I know” unites all who believe this simple, poignant statement of truth. Without boundary of age, race, or location… we are united by His love. Once again, thank you for this beautiful post.
Blessings to you ~ Mary