From "Mrs. Preach", Thursday, February 8:

LOOKING UNTO JESUS (Hebrews 12:2)

I don't look back; God knows the fruitless effort,
The wasted hours, the sinning, the regrets…
I leave them all with Him Who blots the record
And mercifully forgives and then forgets.

I don't look forward: God sees all the future,
The road that short or long, will lead me home;
And He will face with me its every trial…
And bear for me the burdens that may come.

But I look up into the face of Jesus,
For there my soul can rest; my fears are stilled,
And there is joy and love, and light for darkness
And perfect peace and every hope fulfilled!

This morning, after Tom's call, I went to the piano and played and sang this song, remembering so vividly the beautiful experience I had there in SD one "Pheasant Hunting" day as Hazel shared with me concerning this poem. She loved it and told me she had asked Margaret Siemens to put it to music - which she did. Then she gave me a "home-made" copy of it and we shared another memory around the piano.

IF WE COULD SEE BEYOND TODAY (N. Clayton)

If we could see beyond today as God can see,
If all the clouds should roll away and shadows flee;
O'er present griefs we would not fret, Each sorrow we would soon forget,
For many joys are waiting yet, for you and me.

If we could know beyond today as God does know,
Why dearest treasures pass away and tears must flow,
And why the darkness leads to light; why dreary days will soon grow bright
Some day life's wrongs will be made right…Faith tells us so.

If we could see, if we could know…we often say,
But God in love a veil doth throw across our way.
We cannot see what lies before, and so we cling the more;
He leads us till this life is o'er…Trust and obey.

I remember Hazel acquainting me with this poem during one of our times together (in a quiet place) and also getting me the music for it later. These last few days, so much of my waking hours have centered around treasured, heart-lifting hours with Hazel that came - some in a kitchen - some in her camp-home - some on a bench outdoors - some while driving to town. From my very first trip to "Dakota-land", I was drawn to HHH (as she signed). I wanted to be where she was and help her when I could. Hazel helped me in my faith-walk and was a wonderful inspiration to me as she witnessed to her faith through menial daily tasks. She made "kitchen chores" fun! - uplifting! - a sacred time! My thoughts, love and prayers follow you all through these days of standing by her bedside as she slips into the arms of her wonderful Lord. There'll be lots of singing there when she gets home! And, oh, what a a glorious "well done!" awaits her.

You, which includes Craig, Dorothy, Stever, Ruth Anne, Tom, Esther, Elliot, Erin, Becky and hers, Phil and his, Joel and his, Sally and hers, Rachel and hers (whew) are just a prayer away from us.

Love,
Mrs. Preach