Faith, Family & Feathers

Faith, Family and Feathers is the wording on my husband’s grave marker. Hopefully future generations will ponder these words and find the meaning in Psalms 91. It sums up our lives together for 58 years. Faith in God is the foundation of our lives. The heritage of family and the legacy of previous generations causes us to cherish times together. Psalms 91 contains the picture of our heavenly father covering us with his wings of protection and under his feathers we find refuge. 

Faith

Late October 2022 our sons attended church with us. It was wonderful to have both of them help me with their dad – loading his walker, oxygen and helping him navigate to his seat. The service was designed just for us. Our oldest son prefers hymns to more contemporary music – there were two hymns that morning. The message was helpful for our youngest son as he was making a decision. Then the choir sang another familiar song – “On the Banks of the Promised Land.” Sitting basking in the joy of having our sons with us and listening to the music, I noticed my husband was not in his chair. He was standing holding his oxygen tank on his left shoulder and right hand raised praising God. Overwhelmed with the wonder of this glory moment (it took all his energy to just be there) , I stood beside him and raised my hand in worship too. Our son saw and took a picture. 

This same song was sung at the memorial service for John in April of 2023. Another precious moment when the whole congregation stood, raised hands in worship. 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” New King James Version of Hebrews 11:1. This well known verse became more a reality for our family in 2023. 

Our granddaughter had the photo enhanced and framed. 

Family

Family is dearer to each of us as we celebrate holidays, birthdays, graduations and just being together as much as possible. Thanksgiving was celebrated and shower for grandaughter followed. Looking forward to first great grandbaby in 2024.

Feathers

God is our refuge and fortress and we rest in his faithfulness. 

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Have you ever thought, “What wording will be on my grave marker?” Are you dwelling in the shelter of the Most High God? Is he your refuge and fortress the God you trust in? Maybe you haven’t memorized Psalm 91 – but like the lady who was a new Christian and being robbed, she thought of the concept of God protecting her, you can just say – “Feathers, Feathers!” By the way, the robber ran away thinking she was crazy! God knew what she meant.