Ruthy, I miss you.

I miss you more than words can say,

I miss you more than the distance that separates the two of us.

I miss coming home to a friendly face

And a high pitched 'cherry'!

I miss our afternoon coffees,

Two small cups are far better than one.

I miss your smile and your laugh.

I miss the silliness that is us.

Please come home quick.

These days
Slowly monotonous,
It seems time is the only one changing.
This day grates against the next
Each as fragile as the one before,
We do not know when You will call us home.
So while we are here
In the spaces of life
You have so carefully ordained,
Would you give us, please
The grace to bear up under each one
And the patience to hold fast to You
The One whose constance we shall never grow weary of.

So often I feel like I know You,
That I know who You are
Because of Your goodness and grace.
Your blessings show me that You are present
And that You are God of heaven and earth.
But when the blessings seem to dissipate
And Your silence becomes deafening,
When the unanswered prayers weigh heavy on my heart,
The dark hour casts shadows on Your face,
What then?
Can I still claim to serve a gracious Father?
Can I know without doubt that You still remain?
Can I give You praise when the darkness blinds me,
Waiting for my disbelief?

God, You are God
When the blessings surround me,
And God, You are God
When the goodness of your love
Is not so clearly evident to me.