The Ongoing Interview

A year ago today/yesterday our truck was stolen out of our back yard during a family reunion ( the loss was just a truck and eventually it was recovered) butI commented to some friends yesterday how it felt like that day begana volley of staggering blows and losses,a schooling in sorrow and the incomprehensible compassion of God poured throughpeople and His Word; evoking a keener awareness to a kind ofInterview, where God has always said'Trust me' and delights in proving His faithfulnessif we are willing to obey and trust Him A year ago today Lucy dropped by unannouncedwith a bouquet of gladiolas, and much sympathy.(and classic Lucy-greeting,oh wow! Are you always dressed up like you're going for groceries,even on a Monday afternoon of canning?!!) 😅💓My, my I miss my spontaneous, speak-her-mind/heart sister💔😭 Because our truck was stolen (a friend reminded me much later) we, unknowingly had our last just-the-two-of-us, heart-to-heart afternoon together!Before she left we hugged and said 'I love you'. After the tragedy that ended her earthly lifeHer husband chose Rom. 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[] have been called according to his purposeas a grounding verse. Because of our stolen truckGod worked for goodLucy's response to the nudge to come and give me a hug, amidst her busyness.God gave me a memory to treasure forever...(I can't begin to describe how the last year hastransformed joy/hope through incredible heartbreak!My heart feels ripped, crushed and cradled!!)The Interview between Father and Child,to teach needful lessons is always painful, isn't it, daddies? Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,God hath shined.Ps.50:2 We are God’s workmanship; thus, are part of an interviewWith He who kindles every star, then dims them with the sunWho, out of Zion pours perfection’s bespoke beauty throughA fathomless reflection of love’s work barely begunWhile, 'gainst a universal scrim, His evidence of truthBeckons us to remember Him in the days of our youth The Interviewer of our days; the Kindler of each starDelights to hear our heartful praise, while joy or sorrow rollHe tests and weighs worship’s reply; no matter who we areHe loves us; Lord of earth and sky and Saviour of the soulHe tries the highs of boast with blows; He refines gains with lossTo prove who we love most; with woes He points us to the cross Each day runs rife with lows and highs; part of Love’s InterviewWhile life spills hellos and goodbyes, while we choose who to serveIn a world where anything goes (it seems), where liars woo/cooWhere change and Changeless juxtapose on Hope’s brief honing-curveWhile breath by breath soft-dwindles what consumes Attention’s claimWhile, like the stars He kindles, God knows each of us by name ...where while life lasts we are in an ongoing InterviewWith He who shines through every star, and the sun cannot dimWho gave His life doomed souls to save, who rose and overthrewThe deadly triumph of the grave, for all who trust in HimLord, tune our ears to hear, above the trials faith enduresThe Interviewer’s perfect love, whose grace the soul secures © Janet Martin Take heart, all of us who are being 'interviewed/tested'... James 1:2-8My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.  And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.