My Psalm Number 526
When times of sorrow arrive
With all the fury of today’s northern snowstorm
Bringing frigidity, pain, suffering, and woes,
The afterglow of moonlight on new-fallen snow
Brings comfort, serenity, and peace.
So also the comforting hugs,
The cards, letters, bouquet and sweet evidences of love
Soothe the heartsick soul
And bring promise of sunnier days ahead.
I suspect that woes come
To help us appreciate the good times:
The family memories made,
The promise of grandchildren’s smiles,
The proof that life continues
After grievous loss.
The constant is God’s promise
Of redemption and peace
That allows us to commit out loved ones
To His heaven-home Presence.
With thanksgiving and praise
We commit this day and our future ones
To His redemptive promise
Of better times ahead
When there will be no more pain, tears, separation
But only the pristine renewal of spring.
A career teacher, with forty years of teaching language arts/English, Betty Jackson enjoys wordsmithing, writing, and reading as a vocation and avocation.Retirement is her "age of frosting," a chance to pursue postponed hobbies with gusto. She especially sends kudos to the Space Coast Writers Guild members for their encouragement and advice. Her five books, It's a God Thing!, Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan, and Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir, And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story, and Rocking Chair Porch: Summers at Grandma's are available at Amazon.com. Ms. Jackson is available to speak to local groups and to offer her books at discount for fundraising purposes at her discretion. She and her husband soon celebrate their 47th anniversary, and have lived in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and now the paradise of Palm Bay, Florida. Their two grown children and daughter-in-love, all orchestra musicians, and our beautiful granddaughters Kaley and Emily live nearby. Hobbies, and probably future topics on her blog: gardening, symphonic music (especially supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer and proud parent of a violinist, a cellist, and an oboist), singing, book clubs, and co-teaching a weekly small-group Bible study for seniors. She volunteers and substitute teaches at Covenant Christian School, and serves as a board member of the Best Yet Set senior group at church. Foundationally, she daily enjoys God's divine appointments called Godincidences, which show God's providence and loving kindness.