Glimpses of the Truth

Contents

OPEN HEART SURGERY

THERES A CHANGE IN THE AIR

A GREAT DECEPTION

HIDDEN IN MY HEART

HE’S GOT MY BACK

THE TREE

LIFE’S LESSONS FROM MAMA BARN SWALLOW

THE MYSTERY OF WHITNEY

GRANNY’S QUILT

SEARCHING OUR ROOTS

THE KEYS OF LIFE

COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

SURVIVAL IN THE WILDERNESS

NO SECOND CHANCE

THE SACRIFICE OF LOVE

SOMEONE’S AT THE DOOR

THE BARN

DEALING WITH A LITTLE IRRITATION

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

PLAYING A GAME

WAITING AT THE WINDOW

BABY TALK

THE NETTLES OF LIFE

THE ROOMS OF THE HEART

IS ANYBODY ELSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION?

OPEN HEART SURGERY

The farmer stepped onto the porch and reached for the old screen door. As he entered his home, he saw his family gathering about the table. The table had been an anniversary gift to his bride when they celebrated their first year anniversary. It was plain and simple but he had lovingly made it with his own two hands. The story behind the gift explained that the table was long so there would be plenty of room for all of their children to gather around someday.

Approaching his family his calloused hands reached out to his wife and children as they bowed their heads and gave thanks for the meal. The roughness of his hands displayed years of hard work.

Arising every morning the man could be found on his knees. Often beside his bed he knelt with his head bowed. Many times the children would catch glimpses of their father kneeling at the edge of the field expressing his concerns to the Lord.

In later years their memories would recall these visions giving them great comfort. The children had learned early in life from Daddy that quiet time with the Lord was a necessity of life.

The farmer carried a small New Testament Bible in his pocket. He had received it many years before when he had served in the military. His name and service number were written inside the cover next to a line that stated the nearest of kin. Leah, his wife’s name, rested on that line. A few pages back was a bright picture of the American Flag and a note from President Franklin D. Roosevelt commending the reading of the scriptures. The faded black cover was showing signs of wear and tear as the edges had begun to unravel. Many times the farmer had used this small book when witnessing to someone in need of the Savior.

At times a stranger would knock at the door looking for work in hopes that he might exchange it for food and shelter. The children could remember their father offering a bedroll to the visitor and showing him to the barn. They could relate stories of when their father took food to the homeless man on the corner who was begging out of desperation. Father always shared Jesus with his newfound friends as he read scripture from the tattered little black book. To this day they remember how valuable the little book was to their father.

Many times he would share stories of his military days with the children in the night as they sat around the fire. The farmer not only shared his stories and scripture but encouraged the children to share theirs as well.

Years ago Daddy wore many different hats. He was the protector when he served in the military. He was a doctor when they were sick. Daddy was the provider as he worked very hard everyday to earn a living for them all. It just seemed like Daddy could do everything.

One night as the wind howled outside of their farmhouse they huddled around the woodstove telling stories. It was the farmers turn and he took them back in time before they were born as he described being hunkered down in a foxhole. He explained that his rebellion started at about 14 years of age and lasted till their dear, sweet mother patiently led him to Jesus.

The shells were exploding all around him and he was frightened. He thought about his family and wondered what they were doing back home. He found a sense of peace as his thoughts continued remembering each brother and sister until a shell hit close by and brought him back into reality. It was then that he would touch his pocket and feel the little black book. Seconds before he was scared to death but the book never failed him for he would recall a specific scripture needed for just those times.

The family also had special memories of their father as they would look out and see his broad shoulders leaning against the barn. His eyes were fixed on the words of the book that guided him daily. All by example this farmer etched beautiful memories into the hearts of these little ones.

The workday began early and each family member took on his or her responsibilities for the day. Working hard, giving their best until the sunset came and the day ended. Day after day the scene remained ever so faithful. Daddy taught the children the value of taking pride in their work when it was well done. As the years went by, they would recall their father giving advice to young parents. He would always say, Don’t give them everything for nothing; teach them to work hard so they can be proud of the job when they are done. As adult children each one would vow that Daddy lived what he preached.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

The farmer had always believed that God existed even though in his youth he was a rebellious young man. Growing up in an unstable home had hardened his heart. It was callused, similar to his hands. A roughness surrounded his character to protect him from developing a relationship with anyone, especially the creator of the universe. His sins continued to grow as he stumbled in the early years of manhood forsaking all the attempts made by others to give Jesus a chance to work in his life; he simply forged on.

As a young man he attempted to heal himself but one sin led to another and before he realized it he had been surrounded by the enemy and taken hostage by Satan. Caught in the devils grasp he began to gasp for air unable to rescue himself. He seemed to grope at attempts to run from the sinful habits he had acquired but to no avail. The image he saw frightened him as he began to understand that he was a clone of his own dysfunctional father.

As he searched his mind for a possible escape from the sinful lifestyle he was now leading, the young man met a young girl named Leah. He saw Leah at a summer festival in the small town where he lived. Moving there only a few days before the celebration she knew no one. The young farmer was most definitely attracted to the young woman. Prior to this day he had never experienced such feelings and this too frightened him. Fear caused mixed emotions in his rebellious heart as he struggled with his desires.

The young farmer had watched the woman for an hour or so when he decided to take a chance and he approached her. They walked around the festival grounds talking for hours. It did not take the farmer long to realize that she was a special woman and he wanted to know her more. Their friendship grew in time and he found that her faith in God was the backbone of who she was. The farmer cursed the thought of falling in love with a Christian woman. Despite his calloused heart he found her more appealing each day as she was on his mind almost constantly.

Leah was smitten with the farmer also but was troubled that he did not follow Christ. She knew the scriptures well enough that she should not become involved with him. It was torture for her to love him yet he was not a believer and she vowed she would not forsake the wisdom of her Lord. Leah invited the farmer to church many times before he finally accepted the invitation. He knew he was a strong, tough man who could resist the nonsense he was sure to hear. He could easily waste an hour or so at a church service once a week to spend more time with Leah.

With a smug smile on his face he walked out of the doors of the small church that first morning. His heart laughed because he was still a free man. The farmer hoped that his acknowledgement of God and the acceptance of the possibility that he might believe someday would impress God and Leah. He was wrong on both counts. It would take time but eventually he would realize that only Jesus could perform the open-heart surgery needed to repair the devastating damage to his heart.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. Revelation 3:20

Day after day, month after month the years of hard physical labor took a toll on the large, leathery hands. Their strength became stronger with time but the skin had hardened. The calloused hands began to lose their feeling as the skin thickened. Leah loved to place her small dainty hand in his for his hand was like the promise of a safe refuge. Leah understood that the heart of an unsaved man becomes just like the calloused hands.

Time after time the opportunity to invite Jesus in his heart came into the life of the unbelieving farmer. Each time the door slammed shut it allowed another layer of callused skin to cover his heart. With each added layer the heart became more insensitive to the knocking causing Leah to fear that someday no knock would be heard at all.

One day the farmer’s heart could take no more and it became cracked. All the seeds that had been planted in years past began to sprout. Perhaps he didn’t even realize that this process was taking place in the beginning but the sprouting seeds had taken root and began to grow.

He knew his life was in shambles as he spoke with the pastor admitting he was a broken man. Graciously the pastor responded, Sometimes our heart can only be opened by being broken. God was patient with the farmer allowing him to cultivate the planted seedlings in his heart. Ultimately he allowed God permission to enter into his broken heart and the healing began.

During this time Leah patiently waited for her friend and future husband to come to terms with the truth that he had finally come to understand. Although his hands toughened with time, his heart had begun to soften to the words he heard each week. Fortunately his heart did not become insensitive like the toughen skin.

As the sprouting seeds began to grow and mature he witnessed a change in his attitude. Once he had strolled out of church smiling believing that he was a free man because he was living life his own way. Eventually he understood that being free meant the blood of Jesus Christ covered his sin debt. At that point he no longer held back the urge to race down the aisle to give his heart and life to Jesus Christ. Opening the door to his heart met with no resistance for he was ready to give the Lord permission to lead him the rest of his days.

THERES A CHANGE IN THE AIR

Humans think we are just so smart. We believe that if we take the initiative to write events on a calendar they will just happen exactly as we plan and our lives will run perfectly smooth. The note on the calendar dictates our schedules and we become upset if something or someone imposes their will on ours.

Some of us are planners and some of us are fly by the seat of your pants type people. I use to be a planner then I married a fly by the seat type guy and over the years I have joined among his ranks. It was really just easier than having my schedule constantly changed and becoming upset about it. The funny part is that I have no regrets concerning the flexibility of my life now…. well not for the most part.

It doesn’t matter how well we plan or organize our life changes will invariably pop up at any time and