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Sunday, August 26, 2007

Hear the Beauty

I carried our wind chimes in from the back porch; one of the very last items to be packed. Three solid days of careful thought when labeling boxes "apartment" or "storage" had resulted in an empty and echoing house.

As I firmly shut the door, the flapping of the tattered roof of the ancient barn behind the parsonage traveled across our yard and followed me inside. The chimes in my hand rang out and I felt a tugging at my heart for the small town we were leaving. The cows meandering through the pastures, the wheat fields bending in the hot wind blowing over the mountains, the deer bounding through meadows and delighting us on our family bike rides.

This is the only home Eliana has ever known. It is a place where my sons learned to relate to the sweet people who were ten times their age. Where a deeper relationship was forged between my husband and myself, for at times it surely seemed we were the only two people our age for miles.

It will always be so. Home. I did not want to leave.

Eliana came running as the beautiful notes tinkled across our the empty room; I knelt in front of her and watched her face as she breathed, "Ooooooh!" My sister, Maddie, knelt next to her, and we smiled across the little blonde head at her obvious delight.

Then her dimpled fingers reached out and clasped the nickel-plated chimes, and the notes ceased. At her confused and disappointed look, I laughed and gently loosed her fingers, saying, "No, Sunshine, you must let go to hear the pretty!"

The words echoed again in my heart as she settled onto her bottom and clapped joyfully at the music that once again filled the living room.

Yes, Beloved, you must let go to hear the beauty.

Here we are. We have left the tiny town that brought us such joy, led us through such growth these last two years. But my heart delights in the future for that small community; the hope that once again infuses their hearts, thanks be to God, not us.

The notes ring out of my heart in delighted anticipation for what the Lord has in store for us here, in our new home. I've let go my tight grasp that stifles the beauty He longs for me to hear.

And oh, it sounds lovely.

(Listening to and inspired by more beauty over here... )



You are always welcome at my little place - A Path Made Straight

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15 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Elise,

I read this and a lump formed in my throat. A beautiful tribute to Jesus and your life lived for Him. Serving a community and looking forward to the new adventure.

Be blessed my sister as you travel this new road. Love and hugs!

August 26, 2007 at 2:43 PM  
Blogger Andrea said...

Big smile over here, Elise.
Good to hear from you.
Love the lesson. :)

August 26, 2007 at 3:06 PM  
Blogger Christine said...

I got chills reading this post. We have a beatiful set of windchimes that says "Home, home, home" no matter where we've been.

I hope you're settling in! Miss you!

August 26, 2007 at 4:35 PM  
Blogger Amy... said...

Lovely! It sounds like your old home would be hard to leave. You describe it well and you make me want to live there:)

I've missed you being around as well!

August 26, 2007 at 5:57 PM  
Blogger Christine said...

I meant "beautiful"!

August 26, 2007 at 6:02 PM  
Blogger Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience said...

Elise!
My daily prayers wrap you, you so far away. The pretty, the beauty, I hear it from there, where you are. You letting go, makes me think I can too.
He has songs for us to hear.

How I send love.

All's grace,
Ann

August 26, 2007 at 7:00 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

Bless you dear one.

August 26, 2007 at 7:42 PM  
Blogger Beverly said...

Elise dear,
What beautiful words! Yes, our Sovereign Lord makes everything beautiful in His time. I'm glad you are letting go to hear "the pretty." I think of you and pray for you daily as you settle into your new environment. Take care of yourself!

August 26, 2007 at 8:30 PM  
Blogger Sarah said...

So funny how I've missed you so! Each evening, when I sit down for some blog time, yours is one of the first I visit, always hoping for a new word. This new word doesn't disappoint...as always. What a beautiful analogy, letting go of the windchimes to hear their sound. I need to daily let go of my plans and efforts to hear the beauty of surrendering control and dancing on the winds of God's perfection. I'm sure you know the one special area I'm having a hard time releasing. But each day I surrender it, sometimes mulitple times a day. I'll have to chat with you some more on email when you settle in a bit more.
Love you!
Sarah

August 26, 2007 at 9:44 PM  
Blogger Miriam said...

Elise,

It is *so* good to hear your "voice" again, and sweet to hear of your beginnings in your new place!

The lessons you draw from your everday interactions - the way you hear His voice - just takes my breath away every time.

This post made me think of a song my mama always used to sing to me: "Beautiful, beautiful... Jesus makes beautiful things of my life. Carefully touching me, causing my eyes to see that Jesus makes beautiful things of my life." Thank you for letting His beauty shine so brilliantly - can't wait to hear of more of your new home and the beauty you will creat there.

Love!

August 26, 2007 at 10:20 PM  
Blogger Darlene Schacht said...

You find His beauty and message in the everyday things of life. I'm blessed that you express them so well. It's truly a gift.

August 26, 2007 at 10:41 PM  
Blogger Beka said...

"You must let go to hear the pretty!" This has been echoing over and over in my mind since I read this beautiful post yesterday. How you have blessed many with these words... and how thankful I am that the Father has given you this insight! Indeed, He is teaching us right now, we must let go... let go of our hopes, our dreams, our plans, our will, and yield to His... and He will make something far more beautiful of our lives than we ever could have dreamed.
Thank you ever so much for these thoughts, dear friend!

August 27, 2007 at 7:34 AM  
Blogger Maxine said...

So sweet, Elise.
May the Lord bless your family as well as those from that little town. I love it that you call Eliana "Sunshine."

August 27, 2007 at 6:51 PM  
Blogger Cathy said...

Beautiful writing.

Perfectly Beautiful.

August 28, 2007 at 7:43 AM  
Blogger Laura said...

I know what you're going through right now. Praying for you as you say goodbye.

August 29, 2007 at 9:43 PM  

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It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!

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