Remain in His Love

Willowy winkles cupped my chin -- her palm a reservoir for my tears. 118 tearless farewells thus far. 119 released the levy. Miss Emma's weathered hands caught the scattered pieces of my heart, blown about by the scurrying of nurses' white pleather steps.

Her family, or lack thereof, rendered her anchorless; adrift in the lonely seas of "The Brick"... a cold hard nursing home. My first "real" job at The Brick was bleak and dreary except for Miss Emma and a few others.

365 days many things remained on the surface of my heart. Names learned. Stories memorized through repeating forgetfulness. Smiles given. Yet one name, one person chiseled on my heart. I ended one year after I begun with my farewell to Miss Emma.

Who'll sit in the sunshine with you? Who'll listen? Who'll sing hymns with you?

Worry wrung my heart. Visions of Miss Emma, alone... lonely... made my jaw tense, ache. A square hit by sadness will do that to a girl.

But not her. Beautiful brown saucers brimmed with confidence. I waded in those refreshing waters of her eyes, rich pools of wisdom and confidence. I'll be fine Sugar... I'm never alone.

Christ beside me, Christ before me
Christ behind me, Christ within me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
~St. Patrick

Tucked away from the world, Miss Emma changed mine by living for another. A heavenly world, her heavenly home. She looked beyond the bleak beige of The Brick to a road paved with gold. Sounds of sorrow were surpassed by sounds of praise she longed to join in with. Long, lonely, loveless days paled in comparison to the long, lovely, love-filled eternity Miss Emma knew was hers.

Might I encourage you to wet your toes in Christ's abiding love?

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.

#1: Write "Jesus" on small paper

I will remain in you.

#2: Write your name on an envelope {made mine with scrap paper/tape}
Tuck #1 paper {Jesus' Name} inside

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

#3: Write Jesus' Name on a slightly larger envelope
Tuck #2 envelope inside

I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

#4: Write God's Name on an even larger envelope
Tuck #3 envelope inside

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and that your joy may be complete.
~John 15

#5: The final product will be one big envelope with "God" on the outside!

Wherever loneliness lurks, tuck this confidence snug away. You are not alone. He is there.

Bless you dear friend as you jump off the negative train of thought {loneliness}. I'm praying for you!

*Thank you Anabel Gillham and Melissa for this idea!