The talk show host posed the question, What is something you lost and then found that you are really thankful for? (Jill Tracey, KGBI, Omaha, Nebraska)
Barbara and I love the ocean.
The answer came immediately — my sister.
I recently returned from spending four days with Barbara in Virginia. She is living with severe COPD. We were treading on holy ground.
There were years when our relationship was very strained; we had lost our connection as sisters. As I look back, I think we were both too insecure to deal with it. Fight or flight — we flew and the issue exasperated.
But our relationship has changed the past few years. We’ve learned how to support and how to love each other.
It returned gently aided by those expected occasions. Barbara and her husband celebrated with us at the weddings of both of our sons. Then I attended the weddings of her two sons and her daughter. All beautiful affairs. Those weddings were the beginning of the return of our sister-love.
Even so, I would not have imagined that we would be in the place we are today. I am so thankful.
As a result of her COPD, Barbara is living with confusion and anxiety. We’re both experiencing the power of the gospel to calm her heart and deliver peace to her soul. These moments of clarity are a gift to us both. It’s in those times that I see the reality of Barbara’s faith.
The parable of the mustard seed in Matthew and Luke is ministering to her, and through her to me.
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- A Mustard Seed
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- A Mustard Tree
A mustard seed, one of the tiniest and most insignificant seeds has the ability to grow into a tree that could be 20 – 30 feet tall and have a 20′ span. It can grow in hot and dry climates or in cool and wet climates. It will push through rocks. It will grow back even if pruned to only its trunk remaining.
Unlike a grain of sand, a seed is a life-giving force that leads to bearing fruit. In the Luke narrative, Jesus compares the faith of a mustard seed to a mulberry tree that is told ‘be uprooted and planted in the sea’ (Luke 17:6). Planted in the SEA? How can something be planted in a sea? I’m thinking Jesus was exaggerating to make his point of the power of mustard-seed faith.
According to my ESV study notes on Luke 17, “The issue is not the size of our faith, but its presence.”
My faith could often be described as mustard-seedish. How about you? But its not the size of our faith, its the presence of our faith.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly [with our mustard seed faith],
according to the power at work within us,”
Ephesians 3:20, emphasis mine
Praying for you and Barbara today. It is one thing to lose a grandparent or parent, quite another to lose a sibling, because it is a sober reminder of our own mortality. Each day of life is such a precious gift, one we tend to take for granted in the mundane routine of our daily lives. May He bless you both with His presence, His comfort, His hope in Jesus and of eternal life without the burdens of this life. You are loved Sue. Thinking of you fondly today.
Oh Nancy, thank you. You are a great friend! Tears!
Dear Sue. This spoke to me. Thank God, literally, that it is not the size of my faith that matters, but it’s presence. It is growing. It wasn’t ever really dead. It was and wasn’t strong when Bud died. Thank you for sharing your journey with Barbara. For your beautiful honesty and your love! You and all of Barbara’s family are in my prayers and my heart.
Love, Betsy
Hi Betsy,
“It was and it wasn’t”. I get that. This week for me has been the brutality of grief and the abundance of grace, co-mingling!! The most encouraging and challenging scripture has been from Isaiah 53, (Jesus), a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He too knows grief, will I let him comfort me?