"And then an old woman I knew as Aunt Cordie gathered me up without asking and sat down in the rocking chair and held me and let me cry. She had on a coarse black sweater over a black dress that reached to her shoetops and a black hat with little white and blue flowers on it there in the dead of winter. I can remember how she seemed to be trying to enclose me entirely in her arms. 'God love his heart!' she said. 'Othy, we’re going to take him home.'"
Thus begins a new chapter in the life of little Jonah Crow, or Jayber as we
will later know him. Today is the start of the fall book study with
my friend Michele Morin! Join me for lively discussion over at her site: MicheleMorin.wordpress.com,
where we are reading Wendell Berry's book, Jayber Crow.
The rich character descriptions in this fictional memoir-type story
drew me in from page one. But even as the small town setting reminded
me of my own little village in Wisconsin, it was the memory of how
someone stepped in to hold a little grieving boy that touched my heart
so deeply this week. Little Jayber had suddenly lost both of his parents, and when he wasn't even sure how to process his grieving, along came an older aunt who stepped in and swooped him up.
Aren't we all needing to be picked up and gathered close during the hard times of our lives?
Aren't we all needing to be picked up and gathered close during the hard times of our lives?
On days when the foundation beneath my own feet feels like a swinging bridge, I find myself grasping for good words--hopeful words that speak a lifeline to a stronger way of living. This past weekend I joined in for a simple journaling and crafting time on Instagram at #septgluebookparty17 (thank you for your inspiration Gayl Wright.) It's a way to make a collage, by following a simple prompt to look for pictures and words from magazines or artwork that can fit together to express the thought. When the first prompt was "favorite fall colors," I happily picked colors and images and words that leaped off the page for me. When I was finished with my own page, though, I was surprised at the message before me:
Revival?
Could this be a word
of hope
pointing to a
renewed
strength
coming to my life?
Eagerly I began the new week, and wearily I collapsed
yet again. When I read the words of little
Jayber Crow, I heard my own
Life-Giver
calling me to climb into His lap.
He was indeed speaking
REVIVAL
but not in the way
I had first envisioned.
My weary frame revolted
And squirmed at the thought of
Required rest again
Why now? I cried when
I thought Revival was the word.
Revive these legs! I envisioned
Strength required when I looked
Ahead to fuller days
Why not? I cried when
I thought Revival was the word.
Revive these arms! I hungered
Work to be restored as
Plans could be fulfilled
Why not? I cried when
I thought Revival was the word.
Revive this frame! I sought
Fresh energy covering for
Tasks laid long aside
Why not? I cried when
I thought Revival was the word.
Revive this heart! He gave
New Love for God alone in
Father’s heart to mine
Why here? I cried when
He spoke Revival over me.
Yes here, Yes now,
Taste and See
Rest in this Love
Let ME hold you
And speak Revival over you.
--bg
"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Revival? Oh, yes, He is reviving my heart.
He delights to bring new hope
of His unfailing love.
If you are interested in finding a copy of the book, and reading along for the discussion, you can find a copy of the book here:
I am linking this week with these great bloggers:
