Yesterday's Gone

How she wished she could go back to the
good old days.

The path that had been well traveled was
now-covered with tall grass and weeds.
Tina followed the path, and the dried grass cracked
beneath her feet. Withering weeds wrapped around
her slim legs, leaving a burning sensation on her
sensitive skin.

The dust on the trail swirled in a twisting,
whirling motion around her feet. It was as if the
dust joined in alliance with the grass and weeds.
From a nearby pine tree, a woodpecker seemed to
be welcoming her by tapping his Morse code.

Tina paused. She closed her troubled green eyes.
In her mind’s eye she could see her husband, Ted.
His dark brown eyes were always smiling. His
love of life generated from him. Ted had been her
anchor. She had depended entirely on him for her
strength. She shook her head and whispered,
"Why? Why God? Did he have to die?
He was so young, only thirty-two."

Tina opened her eyes and started down the
path again. Small stones rattled downward
with every step she took.

A small cabin soon came into view. It was just
as she remembered. Yet there was a definite
difference. Years of neglect had taken their toll.
The cabin no longer looked happy and full of cheer.
Weather and other elements had beaten and
worn it down. The glass in the windows that once
held out the rain and cold was now broken
and jagged.

When she reached the cabin, Tina shook her head.
Why? Why had she come back? She walked up the
shaky steps that cracked and creaked under her.
The wood was blistered and worn, no longer
smooth and shining.

Tina’s legs began to shake, so she lowered
herself to sit on the top step. She slid her finger
over the rough wood and a splinter went into
her finger. She quickly put the finger to her mouth
and pulled out the sliver with her teeth. Her finger
started to bleed so she sucked the warm blood until
the bleeding stopped. The pain in her finger was
nothing compared to the pain hat consumed her
whole being.

Coming back to this place was almost more than
she could bear. Twelve years ago in this cabin,
she and Ted had spent their honeymoon. They had
shared everything. intimate secrets were whispered
in the early dawn. Their hopes and dreams of all
their tomorrows bound them even closer.
God had blessed her with this man.
She could not believe he was gone, forever.

A sudden scattering of pine needles started her.
Two gray squirrels were running through the dried
pine needles chattering busily to one another.
As Tina watched them play, her attention was
drawn to the small lake, which was just ahead of
the cabin. Tall pine trees surrounded it.
They were like a stairway leading toward the
fluffy white clouds that hung so low.
Lavender-blue wildflowers along with honey-yellow
goldenrod intertwined with the well-hidden grass
along the bank. The fragrance of the flowers and
the pine produced a sweet aroma in the air.

Tina remembered how Ted and she had run through
the grass together. Ted had loved this place.
He had called it "God’s Masterpiece." Even now the
beauty was breathtaking.

As if wanting recognition, the sun peeked out
between the clouds with its brilliant rays,
casting a diamond-like radiance on the water.

Mesmerized, Tina walked toward the lake. A large
rock was near the water so she knelt down on it.
Unconsciously she lowered her fingers into the cool
water and began to splash. A refreshing feeling went
through her. The water seemed to be holding out
an invitation to her, bidding her to enter.
Was this the answer? Should she end all this pain
she was feeling? It would be so easy.

Suddenly silver streaks flashed luminously across
the water. Schools of silver fish swam uniformly in
front of her.

Easing herself back onto the rock, she could feel
warm tears on her cheeks. What in the world
could she have been thinking? How could she
ever consider taking her own life? She knew life
was a gift, a gift from God.

Tina inhaled deeply. She filled her lungs with
the clean, fresh air. When she exhaled, she felt
a peace, one she hadn’t felt in so long.

There was One who cared. God cared. He loved
her so much that He sent His one and only Son
to die for her.

How could she have been so selfish? All she had
thought about was her pain. She had not only shut
out her family and friends, but she had also
shut out God.

Tina raised up on her knees and cried,
"Father, forgive me. I need you so much.
Please, help me."

The wind seemed to whisper to her and she
remembered a verse from the Bible.
One she had read many years ago.
He healeth the broken in heart
and bindeth up their wounds.

Tina stood up. She looked toward the heavens
and nodded. She now understood why she had
come back. God wanted her here, to remember.
Her marriage had been blessed and although Ted
was now gone the memories of their love
would never die.

Tina walked back to the path. With God’s help she
would make it.

She now knew that one should cherish the past,
but one could never live in it.

Yesterdays gone but tomorrow is but a breath away...

Sharon Niese
nananpopo@wcnet.org

Have you ever noticed--
that although GOD demands
a whole heart. He will accept
a broken one,
If He gets all the pieces....

The sweetest songs often come
from broken hearts.

Beautiful music "Keeper of THE Stars"

Is by Margi Harrell

To hear more of her wonderful music

Please visit her site
http://www.llerrah.com/
All of Margie's music is copyrighted.
You must obtain her permission to use her music.

Decide to have a good day.
"This is the day the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24

"In GOD we trust"

Original Photograph
My greatest appreciation to
Craig Roberts for the exclusive
use of his photographs for web graphics.

To GOD BE THE GLORY