Jul
28
2020
Signs Of Life
Posted in Family Life 4 Comments
Life during the pandemic was taking its toll.
Quarantine was necessary, but getting old.
Little did we know how much we would need the vacation.
The entire family would be together for the whole week.
Working remotely helped, in case something needed to be done.
However, everyone was able to take the entire week off.
My son, who is a lawyer, had one brief to finish.
After that bit of morning work, he was officially on vacation as well.
There were three little granddaughters this year.
How would they like the beach?
How would nap time be handled?
Would two tents be enough for all thirteen of us?
Any question or concern was unfounded.
On rotation, two people went early to the beach to set up our tents and chairs.
After that set up, everyone was on their own, deciding when they wanted to go to the beach.
The parents came back for lunch and were able to put their daughters down for naps.
Since I stay at the beach for a shorter time, I was there to listen for the little ones.
My youngest daughter was available as well, since many days she stayed by the pool.
She caught up on reading and journaling.
It was an intentionally quiet week, after months of uncertainty for all of us.
One afternoon, as I sat in the great room reading a book, I noticed it.
There was a glass door that opened to one of the many porches.
This particular porch was a favorite of my children.
Most evenings they sat out there talking for hours.
My little granddaughters seemed to like this glass door as well.
They knew that the shady, covered porch connected to a deck.
The deck went around the front of the house.
The porch had a glass table and chairs; the deck had lovely white Adirondack chairs as well.
My two-year-old granddaughter was able to open the glass door.
She was told to wait until someone went out with her.
However, the porch and deck were self-contained.
She was perfectly safe out there.
Even my son’s dog, Piper, liked to be out there as well.
The porch and the deck were on the second floor.
Piper liked looking at everyone walking the 500 feet to the beach.
The porch and deck seemed to be the place to be.
As I was sitting on the loveseat, reading my book, I noticed the glass door.
It was covered with hand prints and little nose prints.
All the prints were below the door knob.
All the prints were the height of my two oldest granddaughters.
I had no white vinegar in a spray bottle to clean the glass.
We took very good care of the house while we were there.
I knew that a cleaning crew was coming in after we left.
It would be obvious to them that there were little children in this house.
I sat and looked at the fingerprints and smiled.
I loved that they were there.
I loved that real fingerprints of real children looked like a mosaic on the glass.
I loved that in the midst of this pandemic, there were visible signs of life.
Rebel, I said to myself.
I had not intention of cleaning the glass.
I looked at the glass coffee table in front of me.
I looked at the glass coffee table in front of the large sectional.
Fingerprints.
Fingerprints were little fingers played with puzzles.
Fingerprints were little fingers picked up books to read.
Fingerprints were little fingers lifted their cup when it was snack time.
Push back the darkness, I said to myself.
Resist the urge to make everything look tidy and neat.
Allow the signs of life to be seen.
Allow the signs of life to be cherished.
As I sat there and looked across the street, I saw a man on his deck.
I could faintly hear music.
When I went out to throw something in the trash, I stood there and listened.
He was sitting on the deck with his guitar and he was singing.
I waited and when he saw me watching him, I applauded.
I gave him the thumbs up sign and went inside.
Pushing back the darkness takes all forms.
Signs of life were all around me.
I came back from the beach the next day and heard the man across the street.
Did I hear, Jesus in his song? I thought to myself.
I listened carefully.
Every promise is, Yes, in Christ, he sang.
Again, I waited and listened.
Again, I applauded with my hands in the air.
He saw me and nodded his head in my direction as he continued to play.
The darkness on this small street with a few houses was being pushed back, big time!
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20)
It was the day before we were heading home.
Checkout was going to be at 9:00 am.
I was outside and saw some of the family on the driveway across the street.
I did not see the man who sang so beautifully.
Excuse me, I said to a young woman who was probably his daughter.
I hear someone singing each day.
She looked at me, curious if I was about to complain.
Please thank him, and tell him how much his music blessed me.
Oh, I will, she said with genuine gratitude.
She smiled as she got into a car.
I smiled as I walked into the house.
Rebels, that’s what we are; rebels who are pushing back the darkness.
His music lingered in my heart.
The fingerprints and nose prints were left on the glass.
The darkness was pushed back as we celebrated all the signs of life.
Signs of life are simple and can easily be missed.
Don’t miss them.
See them.
Hear them.
Thank God for them.
Be a rebel, too.
Darkness pushed back. Thank you for this wonderful visual.
We are seeing signs of life too:
A dear new neighbor who has successfully just had open heart surgery and is open to spiritual things.
Friends who are seeing healing and reconciliation in their family.
Joy in reading your new blog.
Thank you, Gina.
Oh, Susie, to be on your list of things that are pushing back the darkness means so much to me. You have a ministry where you live. God is using you to bless many.
Gina
Glad you had a wonderful holiday! I’m hoping my family can do this next year for my 80th birthday!
Sue,
What a blessing…80 years young! You are amazing! May God open a way for your entire family to celebrate YOU!
Gina