Never to be separated again

This past weekend, as my husband and I got ready in the early morning hours to drive out and visit my uncle, we received the sad news that he had quietly passed away just hours before. Although aware of his ailing state, the news was not what we had expected that particular morning.

My uncle was the last of my father's siblings, my own father passing away over 4 years ago. Due to circumstances within the family, I had not seen my uncle for over 30 years, yet the passing of my dad prompted me to re-connect and we have enjoyed almost weekly visits for quite a while now. Not too long ago, I was given a box of old photographs that apparently my uncle had almost, inadvertently, thrown out. The above picture was taken of him during the l950's by a street photographer as he did some shopping in New Westminster.

My Uncle had seen a lot of changes during his 90 years; he came from a small coal mining town in Scotland and as a young boy of five, helped his family to make ends meet by delivering milk and coal. His time in the army, during the Second World War, took this young man from Blantyre into the Middle East and Egypt; he emigrated to Canada in the late 40's, where after a stint as a butcher, he landed a job at Pacific Veneer where he remained until his retirement.

As his family make preparations to celebrate his life, my thoughts have turned towards The Author of Life, and for those of you that meet with me every Thursday morning, I know you will understand my particular train of thought.

Life is fully celebrated in the Originator of Life... Jesus Himself. He said to a woman who was grieving the death of her brother, "I Am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"

I am thankful that I was able to be reconciled with my uncle during these last few years, I was blessed in the knowing of him. But even greater joy is mine in knowing that I have been reconciled to God my Father, through Jesus Christ His Son...never to be separated again.

Buttons and Bows

The other day I decided to go and check out some of the Second Hand Shops here in my little village. I was on a mission...it was to find materials to make an artists bag that will hold all of my pens and pencils and scissors and tape and all of the 'stuff' that I will supposedly need when I actually begin making Altered Books. Never heard of an Altered Book before? Well, as soon as I make one I will post it and you can tell me what you think...

Anyway, in one of the Second Hand Shops (in my little village), I found a whole rack of materials neatly hung over hangers and I began perusing through. My requirements were reasonable enough, I needed a good, thick sturdy fabric - two actually (for contrast don't you know), with some of the colours that I enjoy and that would inspire me as I work...and don't you just know that I found exactly what I was looking for...and more!

The cream coloured fabric (on the left) was edged in a 3" cream lace that was gorgeous. I purchased both fabrics for under $8, ran them through the washing machine, unstitched the lace (to be used another time, another project) and am I a happy girl!

I wonder who these fabrics used to belong to...who knew that curtains and a tablecloth would one day end up becoming an artist's bag.

All of this gives me pause for thought...it makes me think of who I was, and who I belonged to before Jesus came along, chose me, washed me up and made me into a new creation in Christ...I'm just sayin'...

darkness and Light

I have been thinking quite a bit lately about the contrast between darkness and light. As a young girl, I loved the way the light of the sun would filter through the trees and dapple the ground; it would delight my eyes and my sense of play. I remember trying to catch the little moving fragments of light dancing on the grass, pouncing on them and laughing when the light could not be caught, but would simply jump onto the back of my hand!

Even now, one of my simplest of pleasures is seeing the light of the sun, streaming in through my window and completely changing the look and feel of my home.

Of course, one thing that light does is reveal those things that have been hidden! Yes, darkness is darkness, but add a little light and everything changes.

Jesus has said that He is the True Light...the True Light that came into a dark world, so that everyone who believes in Him will not remain in darkness. When someone has been in the dark for a while, their eyes become accustomed to it; and they begin to find various ways to navigate their way around. Thing is, no matter how good they have become, living in the dark...they are still in the dark. It is not until the Light shines that the extent of that darkness is revealed.

As a little girl, it never crossed my mind that one day, I would have an encounter with the True Light. Yet, this Light of the Son was not elusive like the dappling fragments of light on a summers day that filtered through the trees; this Light came and called me His own.

Yes, darkness is indeed darkness....but add a little Light, and everything changes.