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Always In My Heart - June 10, 2006
"That's a pretty necklace, Grandma. Where did you get it?" asked young Melody as she fiddled nervously with her pig tails which were adorned with bright yellow ribbons. Grammy Rose felt the pendant which clung around her neck, and replied, "Oh, that is from Grandpa Jake. He gave it to me many years ago as a small token of his love and affection."
"Do you love Grandpa a lot?" asked Melody curiously. Grammy Rose smiled and immediately replied, "Oh yes, dear child! We have been married for nearly forty years, and if something ever happened to him, I just don't know what I'd do!"
Grammy Rose cleared her throat and quickly added, "Enough of that now, child. Let's tend to our chores!"
Years passed, and the day Grammy Rose hoped would never arrive came. No longer a child, Melody, now nineteen years old, escorted her beloved grandmother to the coffin of her dearly departed husband.
Grammy Rose seemed to be in a deep emotional haze, almost as if she was in shock. Melody squeezed her grandmother's wrinkled hand and whispered, "He is gone in earthly form, Grammy, but his love for you is still close to your heart."
Melody wasn't fully sure why she said this, but the words just came to her, and she hoped they would be comforting.
Months passed and Grammy Rose still remained in a deep and dark abyss of grief and loss. Seeing her extreme weight loss, frail appearance, and terribly neglected home, Melody prayed that God would show her how to help her broken-hearted grandmother.
As she and Grammy Rose sat at the kitchen table sipping a cup of chamomile tea, the sun grew suddenly bright. So glaring, in fact, Grammy Rose began to squint. Just then, Melody noticed how the sunlight made the necklace Grandpa Jake gave Grammy so long ago sparkle. A huge and knowing smile came over Melody's face.
She replied, "Grammy, years ago you told me Grandpa Jake gave you that necklace as a small token of his love for you."
Grammy Rose nodded as she grasped the gold heart pendant tightly.
Melody continued, "I noticed the chain hangs a little low; almost over your heart."
Grammy Rose's eyes widened as she carefully noted the chains location. She then stated, "I was so happy to receive it that I guess I just never paid attention to that part."
"You know how Grandpa always paid such close attention to detail, Grammy. It wouldn't surprise me if when he bought this for you, it was his intent for the heart to not only be a reminder of his never-ending love for you, but for you to never forget this love will live in your heart always. In other words, his love is close to you even now!"
Still holding the pendant tightly over her chest, Grandma Rose's countenance immediately changed. It was as if a crushing weight had been lifted off her, and hope was renewed.
Through tears of joy Grammy Rose replied, "Oh Melody! You are so right! How could I have forgotten this? My love for your grandpa IS still in my heart, and there it will stay forever! You are right! His body is gone, and I will surely miss him, but I know his spirit is with the Lord, and one day I will see my beloved husband again! In the meantime, the love is still within my heart, and I will do my best to allow it to comfort and sustain me!"
Melody quickly stood, and went to the other side of the table to where Grammy Rose sat. Leaning down, she gave her sweet grandmother a firm embrace. > that moment on, Melody knew Grammy Rose was going to be OK.
Spiritual Application: During times of great duress it is sometimes easy to feel so overwhelmed that the thought of a brighter tomorrow seems nowhere in sight. It is at these times man may forget that God and His great love for us is still present and available, and it is this love which may allow us to overcome pain, suffering and adversity.
The main character in the above story understood that the heart pendant from her husband held no special power, but that it was intended to be a reminder. In her case, the small token of her husband's affection was enough to jog her memory on the reality of the power of true love.
This Daily Wisdom is intended to be a reminder to you, the reader.
Have you neglected your faith?
Maybe today is a good day to place God in your heart.
Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", which are a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com
"That's a pretty necklace, Grandma. Where did you get it?" asked young Melody as she fiddled nervously with her pig tails which were adorned with bright yellow ribbons. Grammy Rose felt the pendant which clung around her neck, and replied, "Oh, that is from Grandpa Jake. He gave it to me many years ago as a small token of his love and affection."
"Do you love Grandpa a lot?" asked Melody curiously. Grammy Rose smiled and immediately replied, "Oh yes, dear child! We have been married for nearly forty years, and if something ever happened to him, I just don't know what I'd do!"
Grammy Rose cleared her throat and quickly added, "Enough of that now, child. Let's tend to our chores!"
Years passed, and the day Grammy Rose hoped would never arrive came. No longer a child, Melody, now nineteen years old, escorted her beloved grandmother to the coffin of her dearly departed husband.
Grammy Rose seemed to be in a deep emotional haze, almost as if she was in shock. Melody squeezed her grandmother's wrinkled hand and whispered, "He is gone in earthly form, Grammy, but his love for you is still close to your heart."
Melody wasn't fully sure why she said this, but the words just came to her, and she hoped they would be comforting.
Months passed and Grammy Rose still remained in a deep and dark abyss of grief and loss. Seeing her extreme weight loss, frail appearance, and terribly neglected home, Melody prayed that God would show her how to help her broken-hearted grandmother.
As she and Grammy Rose sat at the kitchen table sipping a cup of chamomile tea, the sun grew suddenly bright. So glaring, in fact, Grammy Rose began to squint. Just then, Melody noticed how the sunlight made the necklace Grandpa Jake gave Grammy so long ago sparkle. A huge and knowing smile came over Melody's face.
She replied, "Grammy, years ago you told me Grandpa Jake gave you that necklace as a small token of his love for you."
Grammy Rose nodded as she grasped the gold heart pendant tightly.
Melody continued, "I noticed the chain hangs a little low; almost over your heart."
Grammy Rose's eyes widened as she carefully noted the chains location. She then stated, "I was so happy to receive it that I guess I just never paid attention to that part."
"You know how Grandpa always paid such close attention to detail, Grammy. It wouldn't surprise me if when he bought this for you, it was his intent for the heart to not only be a reminder of his never-ending love for you, but for you to never forget this love will live in your heart always. In other words, his love is close to you even now!"
Still holding the pendant tightly over her chest, Grandma Rose's countenance immediately changed. It was as if a crushing weight had been lifted off her, and hope was renewed.
Through tears of joy Grammy Rose replied, "Oh Melody! You are so right! How could I have forgotten this? My love for your grandpa IS still in my heart, and there it will stay forever! You are right! His body is gone, and I will surely miss him, but I know his spirit is with the Lord, and one day I will see my beloved husband again! In the meantime, the love is still within my heart, and I will do my best to allow it to comfort and sustain me!"
Melody quickly stood, and went to the other side of the table to where Grammy Rose sat. Leaning down, she gave her sweet grandmother a firm embrace. > that moment on, Melody knew Grammy Rose was going to be OK.
Spiritual Application: During times of great duress it is sometimes easy to feel so overwhelmed that the thought of a brighter tomorrow seems nowhere in sight. It is at these times man may forget that God and His great love for us is still present and available, and it is this love which may allow us to overcome pain, suffering and adversity.
The main character in the above story understood that the heart pendant from her husband held no special power, but that it was intended to be a reminder. In her case, the small token of her husband's affection was enough to jog her memory on the reality of the power of true love.
This Daily Wisdom is intended to be a reminder to you, the reader.
Have you neglected your faith?
Maybe today is a good day to place God in your heart.
Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations" and "Daily Contemplations", which are a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com
