The Satisfaction of Words

Richard, my heart companion, went to heaven. I know this because I believe God's Word. Richard trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord, a sinner bought by the grace of God.

Love for me did not cease to exist. I learned to know it's meaning in a deeper way -- profoundly, magnificently.

The mutual words of love between us as husband and wife give me lasting satisfaction. Our pleasure and delight in each other reminds me that marriage relationships are meant to be a touch of a richer spiritual relationship with Christ.

Let us make the effort to think, meditate, and pen our words of love. Let us make the words our own, instead of buying a greeting card which will be given to thousands of other lovers. Let us store up the treasure house with words which will fill our memories of past blessings.

Words bring me a touch of the heart of the man I loved, not to close my focus on him alone -- but to stretch the elasticity of my heart to God and outwards.

Before marriage, with a prophetic sense, Richard wrote:

What a joy it is to know
that as through life we go
the sense of joy and pain
we know together, will be gain.

On our sixteenth wedding anniversary, alone in the church where we first said our vows, Richard read to me:

Today on our sixteenth wedding anniversary,
. . . before the Lord I want to promise,
with His patient help,
to love and honor you,
to care for you in all circumstances,
to support you, to pray for you, to encourage you.

Four years later he wrote:

How many more togethers will He give?
Enough for our eternity together . . .
none less,

none more.

We knew that love between us would never end as I wrote to him three years later:

Juntos en el seno del Señor
seguiremos disfrutando
del verdadero amor para siempre.
(Together in the bosom of the Lord,
we will continue to always enjoy
true love.)

He later penned his prayer for my birthday:

I pray . . .
that you will continue to grow
wiser and more beautiful
with the true beauty
that only our LORD can give.

A year later he continued his thoughts with:

God has given me
an enduring privilege
to spend this life
here below with you.

In the same year I responded to him:

Your caring, self-giving love
is a wonderful treasure.
. . . God has been so good to teach us and to humble us,
so that we can more fully enjoy
His wonderful blessings,
and so that we can also more fully know
in our heads
and in our experience that
"every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights."

Two years later I wrote to him:

Every year I think I love you more,
and rejoice in sharing life as one with you.

The next year he wrote to me:

I love you
and want to be available and ready
to continue growing and maturing with you. . . .

Little I knew the shortness of time as I penned these thoughts to him the year before he died:

You are ever more precous --
more than the day I married you,
and more than the year before.

That same year he responded with:

. . . The Lord has held our hand
and is guiding us to that Land.
With Him we will be eternally blest,
but down here are often put to the test. . . .
Together we will face it all,

until He gives our upward call. . . .

His final blessing came with this note three weeks before his death:

I love you
and pray for your blessing
during the days ahead.

God answered his prayer.
Soon, without him, I learned to lean alone upon the "Lover of my Soul."

The Look on My Face / El Reflejo de Mi Cara

In English:

A small flock of black goats with shining coats follow Antonio, their shepherd, out to pasture almost every afternoon in my village. A few hours later with beaming faces they walk behind Antonio back to the corral. I delight to see this flock and their master pass by. They look up at me smiling, as I look at them over my garden wall. Without a word these goats communicate pleasure, contentedness, and enthusiasm.

Antonio is a kind shepherd. He enjoys walking to the pastures with his goats in the afternoon. Sometimes he skillfully weaves baskets while watching them graze. A few friends often join him for an afternoon chat as Antonio keeps watch over the goats. Antonio has what so many have never found -- contentment with his animals, his village, and his tasks.

One sunny afternoon friends and I walked down a path in the beautiful countryside. We greeted Antonio and his friends and talked with them about the goats grazing nearby. Then to my amazement, Luisa ran toward us. Antonio carefully watched as young Luisa, tamed and friendly, lay down close to us, and begged us to scratch her rough, hairy side. Luisa, also part of the flock, is a young wild boar. She, as well, reflected contentment and happiness.

Animals communicate more than we realize. Some animals hide in fear from their masters. Antonio's animals reflect contented delight as they follow their master. Antonio's goats as well as Luisa proclaim without a word the character of their shepherd. Their shining faces communicate a deep truth. The goats reflect what Antonio is.

One day I, too, was put into a flock with a Master. The day Jesus Christ added me to His flock, as a child born by faith in Him alone, He became my Lord. I live beneath the care of a caring Shepherd, guided and loved by Him along every path of life.

The more I look at my Master and follow Him, the more contented I am. The more I look at Jesus and follow Him, the more peace I have. The more I focus on Jesus Christ, the more my eyes shine with a reflection of Him. His imprint marks me.

Perhaps "glorifying" or honoring a Master is much simpler than I realize. When I look at and follow my Master, a message will be communicated. My focus will reflect what my Shepherd is.

And this reflection will transform the look on my face.

2 Corinthians 3:18
"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the LORD. And the LORD--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."

En español:

En mi pueblo casi cada tarde Antonio, un pastor, lleva una pequeña manada de cabras negras a los campos a pastar. Unas horas después las cabras, tan contentas, siguen a Antonio de vuelta al corral. Me encanta ver pasar a esta manada y a su pastor. Me miran sonriendo mientras los observo desde el otro lado del muro de mi huerta. Sin una palabra estas cabras comunican contentamiento, felicidad y entusiasmo.

Antonio es un pastor bondadoso. Por las tardes disfruta guiando a su rebaño a los campos para que coma. Mientras la cuida, a veces Antonio hace cestas o charla con los amigos que se han acercado. Antonio tiene lo que la mayoría de la gente nunca han encontrado--contentamiento con sus animales, su pueblo, y sus quehaceres.

Una hermosa tarde soleada salí de paseo con unos amigos. Saludamos a Antonio y a sus amigos y charlamos sobre las cabras. Y entonces para sorpresa mía, se acercó Luisa. Antonio la vigiló cuidadosamente, mientras mansa y amable, se echó cerca de nosotros y buscó que le rascáramos el costado. Luisa, parte del rebaño, es una jabata. Ella, también, reflejaba contentamiento y felicidad.

Los animales comunican más de lo que reconocemos. Unos animales temen a sus pastores. Los animales de Antonio reflejan un deleite y contentamiento en seguir a sus pastor. Tanto las cabras de Antonio como Luisa proclaman sin palabras el carácter de su pastor. Una verdad profunda se comunica a través de sus caras. Las cabras reflejan lo que es Antonio.

Un día yo también fui colocada en un rebaño con un pastor. El día en que el Señor Jesucristo me puso en su rebaño, como hija nacida por la fe únicamente en Él, Él llegó a ser mi Señor. Vivo bajo el cuidado de un pastor cuidadoso, guiada y amada por Él por cada camino de mi vida.

Por más que miro y sigo a mi Señor, más contentamiento tengo. Por más que miro al Señor Jesucristo y le sigo, más paz tengo. Por más que pongo mi enfoque en el Señor Jesucristo, más brillan mis ojos con un reflejo de Él. Su reflejo me marca.

Tal vez "glorificar" u honrar a un Señor es más fácil de lo que reconozco. Se comunica un mensaje cuando miro y sigo a mi Señor. La naturaleza de mi pastor se reflejará en base a mi enfoque.

Y eso transformará el aspecto de mi cara.

2 Corintios 3:18
"Pero nosotros todos, con el rostro descubierto, contemplando como en un espejo la gloria del Señor, estamos siendo transformados en la misma imagen de gloria en gloria, como por el Señor, el Espíritu."

The Respect of my Father-in-law / El respeto de mi suegro

In English:

All of us in the family knew that my father-in-law would soon die. Dad was weak with cancer but still conversed with us.

During a special moment the three sons stood around their dad in his bedroom. Dad said something amusing, and sons and father all broke into a hearty laugh.

Unaware of the situation, I walked into the room.

My father-in-law saw me and looked at me with embarrassment. He suddenly became serious and in his kind manner said, "Oh, Connie, I'm so sorry. I didn't see you here. Forgive me."

His apology caught me by surprise. I hardly knew how to respond. Within me I stood in awe before this humble man whom I deeply respected.

Dad apologized because he had used a minor vulgar expression in my presence. That was all. He asked forgiveness for his insensitivity.

I cherish this memory of my father-in-law. He responded in agreement with how he viewed me.

Why was I so privileged in Dad's sight? Did this happen because I, by chance, was such a wonderful person?

No, it was because of my relationship. When Dad saw me, he saw the wife of his eldest son. He honored me because of who I was in relation to his first-born.

Dad died, but relationships of love have not ended. Daily I abide in the boundless envelopment of my heavenly Father's love.

Why am I so privileged in God's sight?

Again, it has to do with my relationship.

God sees the blood of His Son covering my sin; God sees the righteousness of His Son making me holy; God sees His beloved Son when He sees me. The Father's love is now lavished upon me because of my relationship to His Son.

Won't you come into the same relationship? You, too, will enjoy this relationship with God, through His Son Jesus Christ.

John 1:12, "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."

En español:
Todos nosotros en la familia sabíamos que mi suegro no iba a vivir muchos días más. El cáncer le había debilitado, pero todavía conversaba con nosotros.

En un momento especial los tres hijos rodeaban a su padre en su habitación. Papá dijo algo gracioso, e hijos y padre rompieron a reír.

Sin saber las circunstancias, entré en la habitación.

Cuando mi suegro me vió, levantó la mirada avergonzado. Se puso serio y en su manera tierna dijo, "Oh, Connie, lo siento mucho. No te había visto. Perdóname por lo que dije."

Su petición me pilló por sorpresa. Casi no sabía como responder. Me sentía asombrada ante este hombre humilde, a quien respetaba profundamente.

Papá pidió perdón porque había usado una expresión vagamente vulgar delante de mi. Nada más. Me pidió perdón por su falta de sensibilidad.

Atesoro este recuerdo de mi suegro. Me respondió de acuerdo a su concepto de mi.

¿Por qué disfrutaba yo de esta relación con mi suegro? ¿Acaso se trataba de que era tan maja?

No, la razón tenía que ver con el vínculo de la relación. Cuando papá me veía, veía la esposa de su hijo mayor. Me honraba por quien era yo en relación a su primogénito.

Papá murió, pero los vínculos de amor no han terminado. Disfruto diariamente del desbordante amor de mi Padre Celestial.

¿Por qué soy tan privilegiada también a la vista de Dios?

Otra vez tiene que ver con el vínculo de la relación.

Dios ve la sangre de su Hijo cubriendo mi pecado; Dios ve la santidad de su Hijo haciéndome santo; Dios ve a su Hijo amado cuando me ve. El amor del Padre me envuelve gracias a mi vínculo de la relación con su Hijo.

¿No querrías tener tú lo mismo? Tú, también, puedes disfrutar del vínculo de la relación con Dios, a través de su Hijo Jesucristo.

Juan 1:12, "Pero a todos los que le recibieron, les dio el derecho de llegar a ser hijos de Dios, es decir, a los que creen en su nombre."

Pure Enough? ¿Sin Contaminación?

In English:

How pure is the water you drink? How clean are the food products you consume?

In recent months the following news item alarmed many U.S. citizens: "A vast array of pharmaceuticals -- including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones -- have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows."

Earlier this year 190,000 kilos of sunflower oil within Europe were suspected of contamination. As a result sunflower oil was temporarily removed from the shelves of Spanish grocery stores.

We all want to drink and consume pure products.

Even though we are highly concerned about our bodies, are we concerned in the same way about the input into our minds? For example, I may become defensive if labelled "puritanical," as though too much moral purity could be a demerit.

In reality such an attitude despises what the Lord Jesus Christ did for me.

Jesus Christ, who died sacrificially because of my impurity, offers me the gift of purity in my standing before God.

If my purity before God was given to me at such high cost, would I not be most ungrateful not to respond with a desire to be pure in all areas of my life?

I want to drink a glass of pure water and be assured of using uncontaminated products. Why not choose the same for my mind?

May I make wise choices in body, soul and spirit, in gratitude for purity before God, which is Christ's unmerited gift to those who trust alone in Him as Savior and Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:30 ". . . Christ made us right with God; he made us pure. . ."

En español:

¿Es pura el agua que bebes? ¿Consumes productos limpios?

Hace unos meses la siguiente noticia alarmó a muchos ciudadanos estadounidenses: "Un surtido amplio de productos farmacéuticos - incluyendo antibióticos, anticonvulsivos, antidepresivos, y hormonas sexuales - ha sido encontrado en las reservas de agua potable de por lo menos 41 millones de americanos, muestra una investigación del Associated Press".

Este año también se sospechó que 190.000 kilos de aceite de girasol europeo estaban contaminados. Como resultado por unos días quitaron de las estanterías este producto de las tiendas de comestibles en España.

Todos desesamos beber y consumir productos puros.

Aunque nos preocupan tanto de los productos para nuestros cuerpos, me pregunto si nos preocupan tanto los productos que metemos en nuestras mentes. Por ejemplo, me puedo poner a la defensiva si me llaman "una puritana", como si demasiada pureza moral fuera una falta.

En realidad tal actitud desprecia el regalo que el Señor Jesucristo ha hecho por mí.

El Señor Jesucristo, quien murió como sacrificio por mi impureza, me ofrece el regalo de la pureza en mi posición ante Dios.

Si mi pureza delante de Dios me fue dada a un precio tan alto, ¿no sería yo una ingrata si no respondiera con un deseo de ser pura en todas las áreas de mi vida?

Quiero beber un vaso de agua pura, y ser asegurada de poder usar productos sin contaminación por el bien de mi cuerpo. ¿Por qué escogería menos para mi mente?

Que sea que tome decisiones sabias para mi cuerpo, alma y espíritu, en gratitud por la pureza delante de Dios, el regalo inmerecido de parte de Cristo para los que confían plenamente en Él como Salvador y Señor.

Hebreos 1:3 "[Cristo] después de llevar a cabo la purificación de los pecados, . . ."

The Pillars of a Palace / Las Columnas de un Palacio

In English:
Psalm 144:12b
"May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace."

Who imagined such beauty and pain for one of my being?

I cry as the architect uses hammer and saw to smooth the rough edges over your developing form. He skillfully shapes and polishes his beloved object of craftsmanship. He is satisfied as he makes you fit where he wants you to stand tall and strong.

I ache over the pressure a pillar supports. But I trust the architect's design that provides strength to guard you from crumbling beneath the crushing weight.

Little spidrs spin webs in the dust that collects around the tops of the pillars. I know the architect will also supervise your cleaning. He wants nothing to dull the splendor of what he has made.

I will see you someday, standing with grandeur in the palace, for pillars have many visitors. Then I will not hurt for you. I will glorify the architect as I lean upon you, strong and beautiful, fit for a palace.

En español:
Salmo 144:12b
"Sean. . .nuestras hijas como columnas de esquinas labradas como las de un palacio."

¿Quién imaginó tanta hermosura y dolor para uno de mi ser?

Lloro cuando veo al arquitecto usar martillo y sierra para afilar los bordes ásperos de la forma que veo desarrollándose. Hábilmente moldea y pule su querido objeto de artesanía. Está satisfecho al moldearte para caber donde quiere que luzcas alta y fuerte.

Agonizo calculando el peso que aguanta una columna. Sin embargo, confío en el diseño del arquitecto, que te fortalece para que no te desmorones bajo el peso aplastante.

Pequeñas arañas tejen telarañas por los capiteles de las columnas. Sé que el arquitecto también supervisará tu limpieza. Es su deseo que nada empañe el esplendor de lo que él ha hecho.

Un día te veré en el palacio, colocada en pie, siendo que las columnas reciben muchas visitas. Entonces no lloraré por ti. Glorificiaré al architecto mientras descanso reclinándome sobre ti, fuerte y hermosa, hecha para un palacio.

A Love Letter To My Husband / Una Carta de Amor para mi Marido(1997)

In English:



I thank the Lord for you,
Known by God
Before your existence.


I stand in awe
At the bond that makes me one flesh with you--
Loved by God from eternity's ages.


Reverence and respect fill me
As I unite into your purpose
For the praise of the glory of God.


Security encloses
This sealed comprehension,
Made for eternity in the Godhead.


May I never forget who you are,
Or why you were meant to be
Forever in that loving bond.


En español:


Las gracias doy a Dios por ti,
Conocido por Dios
Antes de tu existencia.


Me asombro
Por la unión que me hace un cuerpo contigo--
Amado por Dios desde los siglos de la eternidad.


Me llena el temor reverencial y el respeto
Uniéndome al propósito tuyo--
Para la alabanza de la gloria de Dios.


La seguridad envuelve
Esta comprensión sellada,
Hecha para la eternidad en el Trino Dios.


Que nunca me olvide de quién eres,
Ni de tu razón de estar
En ese lazo de amor para siempre.

The Bite of a Horse / El Mordisco de un Caballo

In English:

The sound of animal hooves broke the peaceful morning silence in my Spanish mountain village. Fernando, my neighbor, was leading his two animals, a big strong horse and a faithful old donkey, to the empty plot across from my home. Following his morning routine, Fernando placed the horse with his picket line on one side of the plot, and the donkey on the other.

The handsomely massive horse was built for strength. He was too tall to mount easily, his muscular thighs could have pulled five plows, and his confidently held head brimmed with superiority. His chestnut-colored coat shone in the sun as he impatiently spent the day attached to the picket line.

The grey donkey was different. His smaller size emphasized a back that sagged from years of carrying the weight of olive or almond sacks back from the fields. A roll of hair hunched up around his middle, as if squashed into place by the pressure of his burdens. His little black hooves seemed worn from years of plodding. Patiently the donkey stood in the empty plot tied to his picket line, content to spend his day standing, instead of carrying the burdens of the day.

Who could have magined anything other than a peaceful day for both animals? However, a storm of conflict brewed beneath the tranquil scene.

All day long, the horse insisted on showing his superiority over the donkey. Stretching towards the donkey, he would open his mouth, and snap at him with his big, strong teeth. Often he succeeded in reaching the donkey. "Ouch," would cry the faithful old donkey, quickly jumping aside, as he suffered the wound.

Fernando strove to keep the animals apart in order to protect the donkey. However, the conflict could not be resolved. The horse didn't like the donkey, and he wanted to prove his loftiness by biting the donkey.

"What a big strong horse," I would think, as I gazed at his majestic stance. "What a poor little donkey," I cried in my heart as I noted his sagging back and the cautious look in his eyes.

One morning Fernando brought the horse to the plot again, but this time took the little donkey out to the field for the day.

"Today," I thought, "the horse will have a good day." However, the horse nervously paced the plot. He lifted his lofty head still higher, and gazed in the direction of the fields. He neighed with agitation, and his eyes reflected discontentment.

Late in the afternoon, Fernando returned from the fields and brought the little donkey back to the plot. To my amazement, the mighty horse then became calm.

"Oh," Fernando said to me, "the horse can't stand the donkey, and yet he can't stand to be without him!"

"That sounds similar to many of our human problems," I thought, as Fernando tied the donkey to the picket line.

Like all horses, the horse had a fine pedigree of ancient horse history -- gallant battles, famous generals riding out to war upon a horse's back, beautifully dressed women in festive attire for Spanish holidays mounted on beautiful horses. . . "What's a donkey compared to my status?", the horse easily assumed.

What is a faithful old donkey? And on top of itall, a donkey with a sagging back?

A donkey is what the disciples of the Lord of the universe referred to when they said, "The Lord needs it." The donkey's little back carried the Savior of the world who came to give his life as a sacrifice for my sin. The donkey carried what no horse ever did -- its Creator.

Sometimes I feel so small. I look at heroes flashing battle swords and see the glow of their shining medallions. "What am I?", I woefully think.

Perhaps I need a change of perspective. In the days of Jesus, a donkey was the royal animal chosen by kings for special occasions. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on this royal animal in order to declare himself King of the Jews. Perhaps the horse forgot some lessons from ancient history. Perhaps I do the same when I forget that a little grey donkey carried the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

En español:

El trote de unos cascos rompió el silencio de la mañana en la aldea española donde vivo. Fernando, mi vecino, traía sus dos animales, un caballo grande y fuerte y un burro fiel y viejo, a la parcela en frente de mi casa. Siguiendo su rutina matutina, Fernando ató al caballo a una estaca en un lado de la parcela, y al burro a una estaca al otro lado.

Este gran caballo hermoso se caracterizaba por su fuerza. Era tan alto que no resultaba fácil montarle, sus muslos podrían haber tirado de cinco arados, y su cabeza majestuosa desbordaba superioridad. Sus crines castañas brillaban al sol mientras pasaba el día impacientemente atado a una estaca.

El burro gris era distinto. Su tamaño más pequeño enfatizaba una espalda que se hundía después de años de llevar el peso de sacos de olivos y almendras desde los campos. Un remolino de pelo marcaba su vientre como si el peso de las cargas lo hubiera dejado allí aplastado. Sus pequeños cascos parecían gastados por años de caminar a paso lento. El burro pasaba el día en la parcela pacientemente, atado a la estaca, contento de pasar el día de pie, en vez de tener que llevar las cargas del día.

¿Quién podría haber imaginado otra cosa que un día tranquilo para ambos animales? Sin embargo, una tormenta de conflicto hervía bajo esta escena tan aparentemente tranquila.

A lo largo del día, el caballo sólo insistía en mostrar su superioridad. Intentando estirarse lo suficiente como para llegar hasta el burro, abría la boca, y mordisqueaba el aire con sus grandes y fuertes dientes. A veces conseguía su objetivo. El burrito pegaba un salto, pero demasiado tarde. "Ayyyy", lloraba el fiel y viejo burro, al sufrir el mordisco.

Fernando siempre intentaba separar a los animales para poder proteger al burro. Sin embargo, el conflicto seguía sin resolverse. Al caballo no le gustaba el burro, y quería demostrarlo al morderle.

"¡Qué caballo más grande y fuerte!", pensaba yo, admirando su majestuosa postura. "¡Pobre burrito!", lloraba mi corazón al notar su espalda caída y la mirada de cautela en sus ojos.

Una mañana Fernando trajo al caballo a la parcela una vez más, pero esta vez se llevó al burrito al campo para pasar el día.

"Hoy", pensé, "el caballo por fin tendrá un buen día". Sin embargo, el caballo se paseó inquietamente todo el día. Estirando su cuello elegante aún más, miraba intensamente hacia los campos. Relinchaba agitado, y sus ojos reflejaban descontento.

Por la tarde Fernando volvió del campo y trajo al burrito a la parcela. Para sorpresa mía el gran caballo inmediatamente asumió una gran calma.

"Ah", me dijo Fernando, "el caballo no aguanta al burro, sin embargo no puede vivir sin él".

"Cuánto se parece a nuestros problemas como seres humanos", pensé mientras Fernando terminaba de atar al burro a la estaca.

Como todos los de su familia, el caballo pertenecía al linaje de la historia antigua de los caballos -- victorias en batallas, generales famosos saliendo a la guerra montados a caballo, mujeres hermosas vestidas para las ferias españolas montadas en caballos hermosísimos. . . "¿Qué puede ser un burro en comparación con un animal de mi categoría?" concluía fácilmente el caballo.

¿Qué es un fiel y viejo burro? Es más, ¿un burrito con una espalda hundida?

Un burro es a lo que los discípulos del Señor del universo se refirieron cuando dijeron, "El Señor lo necesita". Esa espalda llevó al Salvador del mundo quien vino para dar su vida como un sacrificio por mi pecado. El humilde burro llevó lo que el caballo nunca llevó -- su Creador.

A veces me siento tan insignificante. Veo a los héroes blandiendo sus espadas, y veo el brillo de sus medallas. "¿Quién soy yo?" lamento.

Tal vez necesito cambiar de perspectiva. En los tiempos del Señor Jesucristo, un burro era animal real escogido por los reyes para ocasiones especiales. El Señor Jesucristo entró en Jerusalén montado en este animal real para declararse rey de los judíos. Tal vez el caballo se olvidó de algunas lecciones de la historia antigua. Tal vez hago lo mismo cuando me olvido que fue un burrito el que llevó al Rey de reyes y Señor de señores.