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February 26, 2003 - "A Vision"
Welcome to 2TheHeart!
"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be." ~Robert Browning
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We all have "visions", especially when we begin our married lives. Some of us lose track of that vision, and end up losing our way. And there are others -- beautiful, heartwarming examples of stayng with that vision who light the way for the rest of us.
"A Vision"
by Betty King
As we were coming out of church services recently I saw them. He was a large man with a generous crown of white hair. She was a little lady shuffling along to keep up. They held hands, slowly crossing the street. She depended on him and he was protective of her. Opening the car door he made sure his wife was placed comfortably inside.
The local newspaper had carried a picture of this same elderly couple on the society page a week or so back. For better or worse; they were sure to have had both with all the years they had accumulated together.
"That's the couple that attends our church," Bill had said, "She has Alzheimer's."
Our church has a growing congregation with several services and it is hard to know everyone who is a member. Bill had filled me in on where the man had worked before his retirement several years ago. Time had not stood still; it was evident it had brought changes for him and for her.
There too was Bill's cousin's son Rob, coming out of services with a group of high school kids. His own son was among them.
"Gosh seems like just yesterday Rob was a kid himself." Then I remembered he is the age of our own youngest son. Indeed time pauses for no one.
I am reminded of my own age in spite of the youthful feelings that continue to linger in the far corners of my mind. The mirror does not lie. The vision that stares back at me reminds me of the years that have flown.
The sermon that morning was 'The Power of a Vision'. Our church is in the mist of 4.5 million dollar building project for a new sanctuary. We have expanded and expanded and are continuing to grow. We as a body have seen a vision and followed it; God continues to provide as that vision grows.
Rob, I am sure sees a vision for the youth of the church and for his own growing sons. God had a vision for His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus had a vision for His people. In the beginning there is always a vision. We must make a decision to see it completed or give up before it's realized. Many visions are nothing more than a dream. Some people do not carry through with the images they see at the conception of an idea.
The elderly couple crossing the street; I'm sure they had a vision once upon a time all those many years ago. Now it seems her vision is foggy. But his, is still visible to him and to we who watch the tenderness he shows with his wife. "For Better or For Worse," he remembers. It was evident he was continuing to hold on to that vision. Anniversaries have come and gone over the years and he has held tightly to that vision though things have changed.
He spoke a greeting and my husband and I acknowledged having seen their pictures and celebration of their anniversary of many years. He closed his car door driving away with all of their dreams and visions.
I turned and looked at Bill and scanned the forty-five years of dreams and visions as a couple we have seen and the ones that still lay before us. His eyes say it all and his touch reassures me. When we stood at the alter Multiple Sclerosis was not in our vision. But our vows included, "For Better or For Worse." He remembers. As a couple we saw a vision in the beginning and have continued to follow it - and God continues to provide.
Betty King copyright 2003
baking2@charter.net
Betty King has lived with MS for over thirty-six years. She has other writings in the archives including God's Glue, Fall is... and Only the Heart Can Give. You can read about Betty's new book at her website http://www.betty.newsmoose.com/ or email her!
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The Letter Box:
Pat
I'm speechless...and for me THAT'S something. All I can say about your open letter to God is.....WOW ! Sandy Smith
Dear Pat,
GREAT story...thank you for writing it!
Marty Fahncke
Dear Pat,
I cannot begin to express to you how deeply your story affected me. I NEEDED to read this today and it was like a little message just to me from God. God bless you in your endeavors with your children and thank you for sharing your letter to God.
Sincerely, Kara
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