Some Higher Plan
That liquor cabinet
above the refrigerator
was what I chained and locked-
the place for those nights
when someone can’t sleep,
when there’s a toothache to endure
a celebration to cheer
a cough to suppress –
because I thought it might be
too tempting for some
That jewelry chest
here in the rural Georgia countryside
-where we don’t always
even lock our doors-
was never on the chain and lock list
That safe under the stairs
contains only emergency cash
(enough to drive to maybe Canada)
passports
papers
That family jewel theft
was not on the radar,
even by the yet unknown
disease that drove it
Who among us could
trust and love
live life to the fullest
being that suspicious
of our own?
I suppose it’s always easier
looking back,
after the fact,
asking through tears
about the loss of precious things
what might have been done
to protect them
The friend who lost a son
several years ago
and all her belongings
in a house fire this year
tells others,
“They say those vaults are fireproof.
They’re not.”
Remaining photos of a son
gone too soon
charred images,
smoldering in “safe” walls~
and through it all, she keeps
unwavering faith in God
to take,
to give,
to work through her.
I strive for that same peace.
As tornadoes
ravaged Kentucky
a week before Christmas
a Facebook friend
posted pictures
shared of the loss of
her generational family farm-
the barns,
the cattle,
the equipment,
the fences.
“We will be relying
on the wisdom
and strength
of our Savior
as we get through this,” she
wrote through tears,
not knowing where to
even begin.
Human hands.
Fire.
Tornadoes.
Destruction.
Betrayal.
Tears.
Hurt.
Precious gifts, gone forever.
Only the memories remain,
now gemstones,
catastrophic carats
the color
and cut
and clarity of heartache.
…..And then,
out of nowhere,
in the dark night of the soul
the bishop
arrives on the scene
where Jean Valjean is
under arrest for stealing silver,
holds open a bag,
sings,
“but my friend,
you left so early
surely something slipped your mind…
you forgot I gave these, also
would you leave the best behind?”
And then,
dismissing the police…
turns to Valjean,
lowers his voice,
and sets the stage:
“But remember this, my brother,
see in this some higher plan
you must use this precious silver
to become an honest man.
By the witness of the martyrs,
by the passion and the blood,
God has raised you out of darkness
I have saved your soul for God.”
In a world where chains are broken,
locks are picked,
fire and rust consume,
water and wind ravage,
what matters most is merciful love
in the human heart,
over-salved with
the love of Christ
who has forgiven all of us….
through prayer and the word,
through meditation and tears
that break down self
so His love bursts through
hardened walls
in truth and righteousness,
with
meekness
and mercy
and grace
in a communion cup of blood
bigger than any Kool Aid man
bursting through sheetrock
offering the world
a different-way-to-think-drink
My son asked me,
“what would Miriam say?”
and therein was the model
of forgiveness-
unconditional love,
at a time when
the tears of hurt
blurred
the windshield
of wisdom.
My mother –
a grandmother
who locked everything
always
would tell me to unchain
my heart,
take care of my daughter –
a pearl in an oyster shell–
because her heart in eternity
matters more
than the gold and diamonds
that were not locked tightly in a “safe.”
“Have faith in this some higher plan….”
is how I forgave a theft and rejoice in the promise
The Bible tells us to be thankful in all things. I gave thanks when a daughter came asking for help and confessing her addiction and theft – because as a mother who prays daily for the health and safety of my children and grandchildren, I can only rejoice when God hears and blesses me with answered prayer. He also revealed a path for her to enter a six month faith-based rehab and transition home in another state where we were able to Zoom with her on Christmas and see a smile again, emerging from the rubble. He used her sister in mighty ways to do His work. He remains at work, using her life for His purposes as we continue to pray for her as she goes through recovery. Please join us as we pray. Thanks be to God! The manger in our Nativity is a powerful reminder that the most important gifts of Christmas are not found under any tree.
Common Threads 