With Us

Each winter, I attend a widows' retreat where I relish connecting with other widows. Some have been widows for many years; others are beginning the journey. Some are grandmothers and empty nesters; others have babies and preschoolers. Some lost their husband after a long illness; others faced the trauma of sudden death. But regardless of the specific details, we bond on the common loss of our husbands.

I have many many caring friends and family. I am surrounded by people who I can connect with in many ways. But I'm always surprised how I feel understood when I gather with this group of widows. These ladies never met Ed, and they don't know my children. They've never been in my house and don't know my church family or my siblings. But they understand me in ways that surprise me, because they are walking the same road. 

This winter I worked through a study of the book of Matthew using God With Us, a Bible Study published by Daughters of Promise. It was fascinating to delve into what it means that Jesus is called "Emmanuel, God with Us" and the wonder of His birth, life, death, and resurrection as God in human form. 

God created the human race, but He didn't walk away from His creation, even when they broke his commands. He continually reached out to humans. He walked with Enoch, rescued Noah, talked with Abraham, called to Moses in a burning bush, and led the Israelites with a cloud. Again and again, God met His people - in dreams, by angels, on mountains, in a quiet voice, in thunder, by priests, by judges, and by prophets. 

Then came years of silence, barren times, with no recorded messages from God. But the silence is broken with a startling proclamation from an angel. 

You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins...they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:21,23

God, the Son, on earth. With us. Startling. Unbelievable. 

In a human body, Jesus battled temptation, suffered hunger, faced rejection, and became tired – like us. But unlike us, He never sinned, he never complained, he never gave in to self-pity, fear, worry, envy, or hate. He was holy, perfect.

But in His perfection, He didn’t stand aloof from the problems and pain of this world. He walked beside hurting, limping, broken people.

Reading through Matthew, I was struck with how often it specifically mentions that Jesus touched broken people - lepers, blind, paralyzed, even the dead. These were people who were shamed, shattered, outcasts, marginalized, and considered hopeless. Each were separated from others because of their needs - a disease, handicap, or failure. But Jesus reached out and touched their broken bodies to prove that He could heal the ugliness of sin inside each of us.

At the widows' retreat, I feel understood and loved because others are walking the same road I am. They gave me a tiny glimpse of what it meant for God to come to earth and walk this earth with humans. God with us, God who walked with us, ate with us, died as a human, and rose again - this is a God who can transform our brokenness today. 

Jesus didn't leave us alone when He returned to heaven. He sent His Spirit to continue to walk with us. And it is His Spirit at work in us that allows us to reach out to others today.

The book of Matthew began with a proclaimation of Christ's birth - God with us. Matthew ends with another proclaimation from Jesus.

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20

Life can feel heavy. This past week I've watched a number of people that I love face hard things. I need reminded of the living power of God who is working in and through the lives of His people. I need to reread the Gospels and rejoice in the revelation of God shown in its pages. I need to spend time with God's people and hear how God has walked with them. I need to allow God to use me to touch the brokenness around me.

Emmanuel, God with us. Today and always. Until the end of the world. All praise to Him.

The photos on this post are from the Inn at Sabbath Rest in Altoona, Pennsylvania where we held our widows' retreat. If you are looking for a lovely old home for a gathering, I highly recommend this Airbnb. The setting was perfect for a time of reflection and sharing.

Sisters' Bookshelf - Poetry

Two years ago, I wrote about my goal to read slower and my struggle with reading poetry. Poetry had always been something that I wanted to enjoy, but didn't. But I realized that I needed to read poetry slowly, savouring the words instead of inhaling them, in order to enjoy them. 

Last year, a friend challenged me to read a poem every day. I haven't quite accomplished that habit yet, but I have been more deliberate about keeping a poetry book nearby and dipping into it occasionally. I keep reminding myself that poetry isn't like prose, and one page is adequate, probably even preferred. 

I've also decided that I enjoy modern poetry more than classic poetry. This sorta surprises me since in general I enjoy old classic books. I do enjoy some poets such as Christinia Rosetti, but I struggle to appreciate great poets such as Tennyson, Wordsworth, Poe, Yeats, and Coleridge. And I decided to be okay with that. I occasionally push myself to read out of my comfort zone, (such as my attempt at Paradise Lost by Milton last year), but I don't apologize for enjoying some modern poets. (And there is LOTS of modern poetry that I don't enjoy!)

I also found that I most enjoy poets who write on nature and Biblical themes. Maybe this is because these are two categories that I know something about so don't feel as lost. I enjoy how these poems can help me look at Biblical accounts and the natural world with fresh eyes. 

I know opinions on poetry vary widely, but if you have simular poetry preferences, maybe you'll enjoy some of the books Charity and I have enjoyed.

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Charity- 

Water at the Roots by Philip Britts

I am a new explorer into the world of poetry. So often I find poems overwhelming and over my head. This book ( a recommendation from my brother) is perfect for anyone who feels intimidated by poetry. Philip Britts joined the Burderhoff community in Costwald, England during World War 2. Eventually he immigrated with the colony to Paraguay. His life story is narrated between his poems, with journal entries and other writings. Not only is Britts an inspiring man, the poetry is beautiful. I devoured this book and definitely will be coming back to it in the future.

Habitation of Wonder by Abigail Carroll

Do you notice a theme? My favorite poetry is about nature. These poems range from an Ode to Onions to How to Prepare for the Second Coming. As I flip through the book the phrase that comes to mind is "a celebration of words.” I find myself filled with wonder as I read these poems and long to get out and enjoy this beautiful world. If you love words and nature and God, you will love Carroll’s poetry. 

Gina - 

Calling Your Name by Janice Etter

Janice is a German Baptist  mother and grandmother from Indiana. Her poetry is relateable as she examines life, nature, and faith through the power of written words. I like poetry that is approachable without being trite, and this book fits this goal perfectly.

Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation by Luci Shaw

Last year I was on a huge Shaw kick, reading several of her prose books as well as several poetry collections. This collection, which follows the life of Christ from the Annuciation to the Resurrection, is my favorite so far. These are poems that prompt worship. Shaw is now in her mid-nineties and still writing poetry with a new book coming out this spring, so she has decades of poetry for us to enjoy.

If you want to add a bit of poetry to your day and don't know where to begin, grab a hymnbook. Hymn lyrics are poems and many of them are beautiful. This is an easy way to add the beauty of words and spiritual refreshment to you day.

April is Poetry Month. Even if it is out of your comfort zone, try reading at least one poem this week! 

Do you have favorite poets or poetry collections?