LBR

WON'T QUIT NOW...

The other night Robin and I were talking deeply and thoughtfully about our family. Our children are no longer kids... and our family is expanding. We talked of joys and challenges. Oh we have been more than blessed as our four daughters and two sons have been an amazing part of our lives. I shared with Robin my desire and heart's conviction to pray "even more" for each one along with the expanded family.

***

This conversation took place two days ago and here I am sitting in my chair in the early morning hours still pondering that conversation. Pondering and praying... Certainly, I prayed for our next generation that Robin and I have been blessed with, however now perhaps with more of a desire of sincerity and perhaps urgency. Two or three things are upon my heart...

***

One.... The verse in the book of James that speaks of the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much". God working in my family starts with me as an individual. I cry out, "Oh, God let me be that man". A man after God's heart...

***

Two... God laid on my heart the following principle... "It may be hard for one to shine when they stand in the shadow of another". May my presence and goals never stand in the way of what God has planned for those that follow after me. I know too many parents that are chasing dreams and earthly goals and in so doing, they have forsaken leading and teaching the ones that are flesh and blood. When one invests into his or her child's heart they are truly laying up treasures in heaven and not the temporary of this fleeting world.

***

Three... I must never forget the principle found in Philippians 1:3-6 (personalized for myself and my family)

"I thank my God every time I remember you (each of my children). In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your PARTNERSHIP in the gospel from the first day until now, being CONFIDENT OF THIS, THAT HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST.

LBR December 4, 2034

THE MUSIC OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

By Larry B. Reinhold *** March 23, 2023

Frolicking light of green and red and white,

Prancing and leaping and having a ball.

Seems to be moving in rhythm of a distant symphony,

And I hear the yip and howl, the yip and howl of the coyote's call

***

Streams of light reaching the Great Bear of the night sky.

High in the sky these northern lights are amazing to all.

And then I listen for the music of the silence,

And the yip and howl, the yip and howl of the coyote's call.

***

I follow a beam of polar light over my shoulder.

And seemingly the journey of Orion comes to a stall

And just as an old friend we stop and watch and listen,

To hear the yip and howl, the yip and howl of the coyote's call.

***

Again I stand amazed by the drama of Aurora Borealis.

I glance to the west, where the stage was not at all small.

Venus and the Crescent moon play second chair and hear

The yip and howl, the yip and howl of the coyote call.

***

I am now feeling the chill of the night as it replaces

The thrill of watching the spectacle from heaven's hall.

I lower my gaze and I turn my back and yet continues the music

The yip and howl, yes the yip and howl of the coyote's call.

EMANUEL JACOB FISHER... A TRIBUTE TO YOU

Not a word to say, Daddy carried in

A pine box to be their son's earthly bed

Mommy whispered through her tears,

"I sure wish it was a toy box, instead."

A little boy conceived in love.

A dream to enhance the human race.

Delivered from the warmth of mother's womb

Into the loving arms of God's embrace.

In their home and in their eyes...

So much evidence of joy.

In their heart they know God is love.

But oh how they miss the heartbeat of that little boy.

Carefully they lay their son in,

This homemade box of pine.

They fold his blanket all just right.

And in the silence, "Mommy, Daddy will you be fine?"

Daddy holds Mommy real close and tight.

"Our son...'God With Us'... It's even in your name.

Emanuel Jacob Fisher.... A tribute to you...

We will be fine... But we will never be the same."

***

Larry B. Reinhold

December 10, 2021