I discovered in New Zealand they have different constellations in the night sky. Sailors must have figured that out – stars were their signposts over vast oceans, dependable as a compass.

My living room is still dark at this early hour here in western Pennsylvania, except for the glow of the Christmas tree, until a thin pink line slips over the hills, to the east.

When I flew into Amman, Jordan, 20 years ago, there was a figure of a tiny plane on a corner of the large screen that planes provided at that time for passengers to view movies. I asked the steward what that image was about; he told me it always pointed East, so Muslim passengers would know in what direction they should pray.

The thought of faithful people praying five times a day has stayed with me. My inner compass goes wonky, sometimes; it isn’t as trustworthy as that prayer guide on the plane, or as the stars above –I need God’s Word to keep me on the right road.

Your Word is a Lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105 NLT)

Cindi Kordell gave me a gift she calls Sacred Script. It contains 31 verses in calligraphy to meditate upon, a spiritual flip calendar. She presented it to me last fall as we sat beside my now frozen water garden, sipping iced tea. Cindi chose each verse especially for me. She didn’t know her gift would be like a compass, keeping me facing in the right direction.

Love one another with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (Romans12:10 NLT)

I was surprised to learn some church sanctuaries are designed to face east, like that little image of a plane on Jordanian Airlines. Then I heard that among Jewish people there was a saying that when the Deliverer comes, he would arrive from the East. In response, a medieval conqueror of Jerusalem sealed the East Gate into the city and planted a cemetery in front of it.

Pretty silly, as if the work of men can thwart the plans of God. Yet most of the time my own ideas of God are way too small.

I need a really big God right now.

Put your hope in God, be strong. Let your heart be bold, put your hope in God. (Psalm 27:14)

This sounds like a God I can trust, One who at the beginning of time threw His hands in the air and let the constellations fall in place, like diamonds in the sky. He named Himself with a verb – the Great I AM.

I AM that I AM.

This present tense God has proven faithful to Jim and me every moment of our 18,251 days of marriage, partners and friends on life’s sojourn. On December 27, we celebrated 50 years together.

For He will put His angels in charge of you, in all you ways. (Psalm 91:11)

Our love is stronger and more abiding for the laughter, tears, and trials we’ve shared.

I think of the pine floor in our daughter Julie’s Philadelphia row home, where a century of footsteps has indented a step. Over in Italy’s Roman Basilica, the toes on the bronze right foot of St. Peter are worn down by the kisses of a hundred million pilgrims. I’m feeling a bit worn down myself as this year ends, but also treasured. The memory of eighteen-thousand kisses are mine.

Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV)

This coming year holds great challenges for Jim and me. Knowing we are not alone makes all the difference. The young campus minister at our church, Caleb Fuget, said he passed under the entrance way into Duke Divinity School every day while he studied there. Overhead are the last words of John Wesley, Methodism’s founder: “The best of all is, God is with us!”

I AM with you, always. (Matthew 28:20 KJV)

The sun now floods this blue-sky day. Morning has broken, as the old hymn says. Another day to love this guy who has stood by my side for 50 years. Steadfast. Even in the hardest times, I doubt a day has passed without some hint of Jim’s dry humor, telling me and the world we’re people of hope.

My New Year’s resolution is to treat each day as an unopened treasure, wrapped in the promises of God, more steadfast than all the stars of heaven.

May God . . . cause His face to shine on us. Psalm 67:1

And be our peace –my prayer for all of us as 2020 begins.

All will be well.

Texting Thru Recovery/Indiana Gazette

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