As I approached the wooden box, visions of my boys’ toys of all sizes and shapes
jammed into it filled my heart with dread. The chest has sat untouched since we
moved into this house almost eleven years ago, so there was no telling if "jack might jump out of the box."The wooden chest holds memories near and dear to my heart. My husband designed it to store our camping gear inside and serve as our new baby boy’s bed on top. As our first son grew and a second one joined the family, the box became a jumble of trucks, balls, Legos, transformers, and more.
So, when I lifted the
lid today, my heart jumped for joy. My feet danced a jig when I discovered a somewhat organized treasure trove of toys. My energy exploded,
and I jostled the array of plastic and metal into organized, packed boxes for
the movers.
It was a morning of jubilee.
“Young
women will dance and be happy,
young men and old men will join in.
I’ll convert their weeping into laughter,
I’ll convert their weeping into laughter,
lavishing comfort, invading
their grief with joy.”
Jeremiah 31:13 (msg)
Sadly, during my lunch break the thought of my brother Jim
pushed back the joy.
Jim is five years older than me and is scheduled
for surgery tomorrow. He is a high risk patient. He knows the Lord Jesus as his Savior,
so my heart is at peace in that way. But, Jim is my big brother who I almost never
knew because the doctors at Mayo Clinic told my parents there was nothing more
they could do for their 4-year-old son. He’s the brother, though, that tickled
the daylights out of me, taught me to drive both his toy cars and the real
thing. He wrote me occasional letters from Vietnam. He bought me the coolest
real-to-real tape recorder when I was about 13. He lectured me when I started
dating. He’s been my hero, my friend, and my big brother.
But, more on my mind is our 82-year-old mother who prayed
him through the childhood sickness, his rebellious teenage years, and the 365
days in Nam.
Thoughts of my brother and my boys continued as I sorted and carefully packed my now adult boys’ childhood
toys. Memories of laughter, fighting, and sometimes sharing flooded my mind…
...tears.
[If you don’t see a post here for a few days, you’ll know
why.]
What a precious treasure you found in the chest! So sweet!
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for your brother (and all of you who love him). Please let us know how he's doing when you're able!
Thank you. The surgery went very well. Lots of cancer removed and relieved the pressure from his vocal chords and opened his esophagus so he can swallow food again. Was up talking within hours of the procedure!!! We serve such an awesome GOD, who hears the prayers of His faithful children.
DeleteIt's hard to go through this but God is with you all and I'll be praying as well. Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. Peace to you sister.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Darla, my sister for your prayers. That is one of my all-time go-to passage! Jehovah-rapha heard the prayers of His faithful children and answered with amazing results. The surgeon removed the large cancerous mass from my brothers throat and relieved his vocal chords allowing him to talk with ease within hours of the procedure. After the healing/recovery, I know he looks forward to swallowing food again. Thank you for stopping by and sharing words of encouragement.
DeleteThat's so sweet the love that you have for your brother, that's one thing you'll never lose. I hope all goes well with him and his surgery.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jessica. His surgery went according to plan and he is recovering nicely...however, there is more cancer. This battle was won but the war is not over. Again, thank you for your words of encouragement. God bless
Delete