Edgewater Grace

I listened to Cheryl Broderson’s comments on the Book of Corinthians on my way up to the City of Virginia Beach to get a manicure this morning. Cheryl is a member of Calvary Church Costa Mesa, and is on the radio locally each Saturday morning around 9 a.m.  If you’ve never heard her, you are missing an awesome blessing.

Anyway, this morning, she shared the story of her own Dad’s voice and how she came to recognize it over every other person’s voice. Her Dad would arrive home and sing out some lyrics to her.  It must have delighted her, because she learned a little melody she sang back to him as she ran to him and was swept up into his arms.  Well, she said her older brothers learned the technique, and would come home, and sing out the lyrics to her, and she’d come running out into the other room, absolutely delighted that He was home…but he wasn’t – it was her brothers! She shared the devestation she felt when she realized it wasn’t her daddy’s voice after all. It all brought home to me the tender memories of my own dad, who crossed over in 1991 to be with the Lord.   I was in tears when Cheryl finished her story.

You see, like Cheryl, my father used to sing my name. He didn’t sing a whole musical repoirtre like Cheryl’s Father, but he always sang my name. I would know that voice anywhere, because no one ever said my name the way my father did. He had a beatiful voice, and he made up his own little tune that just stretched out my name and made it turn from plain Mary into something quite lilting and beautiful. I came to trust that when I heard his voice, something beautiful and wonderful was getting ready to happen. Hugs, and kisses, and tickles and laughter and lots and lots of love.

When Jesus shared that his sheep would know His voice, I knew immediately what He was talking about. I knew I would recognize His voice also. And I did – first over 30 years ago, and though I haven’t always been consistent, He shared some more of His heart with me last year. Nothing could ever sound that beautiful to these ears, and I crave to hear His voice again as I go about my days…

Later, with glistening new nails done in antique bronze, I stopped off at the Bloom store to buy some groceries. Eating has become a large area of focus as I am trying to lose pounds and cholesterol and get rid of hypertension. I was browsing through the organic foods section, and to my right was a lady with a young toddler sitting in the basket, looking at some items. All of a sudden the little girl started dancing in her seat, and gurgling with happy delight. I wondered whatever had her so delighted. Then I turned, and saw her father approaching with what could only be her older brother in the other shopping cart. Mom said, “She’s dancing for you, honey” and the father said, “Yes, I see that” and bent down and cooed some sugary musical lyrics to her and gave her a big kiss. As they walked off, he was glancing down at her so devotedly, and she him, and I had to leave the store.  I missed picking up half my groceries – I was a basketcase.

All I could see was Christ in His perfect grace, looking devotedly down at me, and letting me know he had heard my heart when Cheryl reminded me so tenderly of that precious memory of my own father.  Tears come to my eyes each time I think of all this.  Thank you Cheryl for the memory and Jesus for your wonderful grace!!