We moved on in life, both of us becoming public school educators and each married with kids of our own. During my recent breathing crisis leading to the emergency tracheostomy to allow me to breath and stomach tube for feeding, I heard from Gary and his wife Sue, who is also my friend from our Long Beach church youth group led by Pastor Jay Bartow. His concern for my near passing from this crisis and the subsequent extended placement in a skilled nursing facility, inspired him to write this poem that Sue helped edit. I would love to share it with you, my friends.
Thank you to my lifelong friends for the gift of this poem and the genuine concern and love it represents! - DanStormsWhen storm clouds gathered, you told how you’d fret!Now you’ve been through storms so hard to forget.But in the midst of the storm, His shelter you seek.When the thunder roars and the lightning streaks.
The storm rages on and on, and you long for peace.Praying for many years for the wind and rain to cease.Keeping faith, looking up , and then the skies do clear.God hasn’t changed, all is calm, and there's nothing to fear.You’ve gone through many storms on the sea of life.You’ve shared with me your heartaches, your sorrow, and strife.You’ve shown me how to trust in Jesus, and in Him you abide.Sharing with me that all through the storm, He's by your side.Thank you for sticking with me in storms of health,My car accident modeled your love that brings His wealth.Knowing that in the Storm and pain,His comfort He bringsAs He gets us ready for eternal things.Praying for you each day as torrents do fallShowing that in the drought when there’s no rain at allHis harvest in your life is a spiritual flowThe Son is shining in you, whether or not you know....With love always, Gary and (Sue)
4 comments:
From the Source
Celebrating our friendship,
Of my brother Dan,
God’s effect on the world around you,
In faith continuing to stand.
In the atmosphere of God’s Mercy,
Your life at peace and rest,
A rhythm of holy music,
Living Christ’s life at best.
A river ever flowing,
Clothed in the ever onward flow,
Carrying branches of new wisdom,
Over obstacles you grow.
In the white water river,
Karrie and you do mix,
Meandering currents joining,
Trusting without a fix.
In oneness from the Source,
Leadership from the Son,
Working as one body,
Flowing towards the One.
I honor you as leaders,
Our examples and our friends
Lead us onward in the future
For our Savior to commend.
Yes through it all, through it all,
you learned to trust in Jesus you learned to trust in God…
And in this Corona Virus scare you will lead others to the Rock...
Love, Gary
Gary, Once again you amaze with your writing! You have much, too much belief in me, but I am so encouraged by your thoughts expressed. I do think you are right about this: I would be nowhere without the grace and peace that God gives us in those most difficult moments of life. You are a dear and special friend! Dan
Here I am in FL with hurricane Ian when Holy Spirit shows me this.
Yes, Gary Edwards, a lifelong friend, wrote this. Sue is his wife. Both were in my youth group fifty years ago! Wonderful people of Faith!
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