Thursday, April 24, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
700 words
I still don’t know if it was sharp rain on tiny shards of glass which pricked my skin as we stood in the wreckage of the tornado.
Now we referred to the place where our family home once stood as “the address”. It was as close as we could come to the truth, for it certainly was no longer home. In fact, nothing of home was left at the address except the hearth where the fireplace used to be. My uncles had come to help my now orphaned brother and me navigate this new challenge. The first step, dig though the debris and climb over the shattered tree limbs where just yesterday, they removed the bodies of my parents, Lee and Jacque Cook.
“Let’s pray.” I said, before we begin our hunt. We held hands and bowed our heads but none of those former quarterback now CEO men could speak. This is was having your heart in your throat is. This is broken. I asked the Lord to give me strength and I spoke. “Father, we love you. God, we need you. Give us strength. Guide us. Protect us, Lord. Help us.” And we all said “Amen.” And we were off. My uncles took to removing large debris where the staircase once stood. My brother dealt with the media, which was circling and wanting to know how-wait for it, wait for it- how we were feeling and planning to do. If I seem sarcastic, please give me room for grace. The Lord is working on that in me. At the time of the tornado, I worked in news radio after being on the other side of such obvious questions, I changed professions. I couldn’t talk to them and so my brother did. This is what he said, “God is merciful. He took them together.”
I kept praying and heard this “though I walk through the valley of darkness and the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” At that time, I didn’t know my Bible very well. In truth, I barely knew it at all, but knew that was in there. I began to walk. Light caught my eye, a reflection bouncing off the ball from the top of my father’s walking stick. I grabbed it and held it to my heart. “Oh Daddy,” I said as I began to moan. “I will help you walk,” I heard him say, “I will show you where to go.” And just then I remembered that Dad’s cane was also a compass.
He did help me walk and show me where to go and that day my family was able to recover anything precious we could have hoped for. We found family photos and my mom’s cook books with her handwritten notes. I found whole pieces of my great-grandma’s good china and I felt my mother press on my heart this wisdom:
I will keep them alive my cooking their foods and telling their story. I will keep them alive my setting the table and teaching my children to do the same.
That day I witnessed Biblical truth in action.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
I know in my bones that these words are true for He has drawn near to me.
James tell us
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2
The Christian life isn’t the easiest, but I dare you to find any life that IS easy. It isn’t. It IS beautiful, broken and beautiful.
That day, more than my home and parents were lost. I was lost, and year later, found, but He was with me.
He is with me. He is with us, and even more, he is FOR us and if God Almighty is for us, who can be against?
Perhaps at your church you sing the same song we do.
“You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, “Lord blessed be your name.”
It’s a choice.
Choose.
Now we referred to the place where our family home once stood as “the address”. It was as close as we could come to the truth, for it certainly was no longer home. In fact, nothing of home was left at the address except the hearth where the fireplace used to be. My uncles had come to help my now orphaned brother and me navigate this new challenge. The first step, dig though the debris and climb over the shattered tree limbs where just yesterday, they removed the bodies of my parents, Lee and Jacque Cook.
“Let’s pray.” I said, before we begin our hunt. We held hands and bowed our heads but none of those former quarterback now CEO men could speak. This is was having your heart in your throat is. This is broken. I asked the Lord to give me strength and I spoke. “Father, we love you. God, we need you. Give us strength. Guide us. Protect us, Lord. Help us.” And we all said “Amen.” And we were off. My uncles took to removing large debris where the staircase once stood. My brother dealt with the media, which was circling and wanting to know how-wait for it, wait for it- how we were feeling and planning to do. If I seem sarcastic, please give me room for grace. The Lord is working on that in me. At the time of the tornado, I worked in news radio after being on the other side of such obvious questions, I changed professions. I couldn’t talk to them and so my brother did. This is what he said, “God is merciful. He took them together.”
I kept praying and heard this “though I walk through the valley of darkness and the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” At that time, I didn’t know my Bible very well. In truth, I barely knew it at all, but knew that was in there. I began to walk. Light caught my eye, a reflection bouncing off the ball from the top of my father’s walking stick. I grabbed it and held it to my heart. “Oh Daddy,” I said as I began to moan. “I will help you walk,” I heard him say, “I will show you where to go.” And just then I remembered that Dad’s cane was also a compass.
He did help me walk and show me where to go and that day my family was able to recover anything precious we could have hoped for. We found family photos and my mom’s cook books with her handwritten notes. I found whole pieces of my great-grandma’s good china and I felt my mother press on my heart this wisdom:
I will keep them alive my cooking their foods and telling their story. I will keep them alive my setting the table and teaching my children to do the same.
That day I witnessed Biblical truth in action.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
I know in my bones that these words are true for He has drawn near to me.
James tell us
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2
The Christian life isn’t the easiest, but I dare you to find any life that IS easy. It isn’t. It IS beautiful, broken and beautiful.
That day, more than my home and parents were lost. I was lost, and year later, found, but He was with me.
He is with me. He is with us, and even more, he is FOR us and if God Almighty is for us, who can be against?
Perhaps at your church you sing the same song we do.
“You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, “Lord blessed be your name.”
It’s a choice.
Choose.
Monday, October 25, 2010
the first time i saw his face
Sometimes the best thing one can do is to walk right out the door.
It was one of those days. The best I could do was leave so I did. I said "I'm taking a walk" and off I went. It was pouring rain in early October. I was weaping and the tears mixed with the downpour as I cried out on the streets near my home. I didn't even care at that point if the neighbors saw me or heard me or "would talk". I was a wounded animal stumbling and trying to stay on my feet till I could come up with a plan for refuge.
Then I saw him. He just appreared in front of me. Directly in front of my eyes. He should signs of weathering as well. The skin of his face just hung on bone structure. It hung like the curtains around the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. He just peered into my eyes so deeply that I felt like I had turned into the water around us. Then he kisses me. He kissed my forehead, my eyes, my cheeks my tears my chin and mouth and ears and hair. He kissed me with a thousand tiny passionate kisses like a daddy kisses a todler who's fallen hard and has gotten hurt.
I knew this was love.
I knew this was healing.
I knew this was Jesus.
It was one of those days. The best I could do was leave so I did. I said "I'm taking a walk" and off I went. It was pouring rain in early October. I was weaping and the tears mixed with the downpour as I cried out on the streets near my home. I didn't even care at that point if the neighbors saw me or heard me or "would talk". I was a wounded animal stumbling and trying to stay on my feet till I could come up with a plan for refuge.
Then I saw him. He just appreared in front of me. Directly in front of my eyes. He should signs of weathering as well. The skin of his face just hung on bone structure. It hung like the curtains around the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. He just peered into my eyes so deeply that I felt like I had turned into the water around us. Then he kisses me. He kissed my forehead, my eyes, my cheeks my tears my chin and mouth and ears and hair. He kissed me with a thousand tiny passionate kisses like a daddy kisses a todler who's fallen hard and has gotten hurt.
I knew this was love.
I knew this was healing.
I knew this was Jesus.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
September 11th
My daughter was a brand new kindergartner when the terrorist attack of 2001 happened. I remember the stark difference that I sensed between the world she got ON the school bus in and the world into which she was being dropped OFF. I remember looking into the sky and praying that the planes which I could see flying overhead would not suddenly switch course and begin to fly in the opposite way.
I remember a slight sadness that I had brought her into this world and wondered if I would have chosen to have a baby if I knew that this would happen in her world.
I was terrorised by the terrorist attacks of 9-11.
It was only two years after I'd lost Mom and Dad in the tornado and the crumbling buildings and debris and people wondering around and crying for their loved ones ripped my scabs wide open and I began to bleed as well. This time it was different , though. This time we all bled. This time, as I drove in traffic, wiping back tears to see the road and drivers on either side, they were weeping as well. We wept. We stopped. We hung our flags-all of us. We clamoured to represent the UNITED States of America.
Remember kids forcing red, white and blue plastic cups though chain-linked fences in the shape of the flag? Remember how EVERYONE tied ribbons to their car antennae? United we stood.
Now, I was not a Jesus follower yet, but I knew enough to pray for my enemy, and did.
I still do.
There was an event hosted by my radio station WOMC Detroit, called "Show of Hands for Freedom". We met at major shopping malls will empty billboard paper and listener, thousands and thousands of listeners lined up to dip their hand in red of blue paint and press it onto the sheet. The result was billboards hung in honor all over the city. As they waited, they would spontaneously erupt into song-"God Bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her from the night with the light from above."
We were united. It was beautiful. Broken and beautiful.
Now three things come to mind today...
One is a longing for that kind of united in our nation today and also a deep heart cry for that kind of united in the body of Christ. On September 11th of 2001, there was no rich man and guy on the line. There were Americans. There was no punk rocker and preppy. There were Americans and we KNEW on that day and the days that followed that in was the tremendous blessing of being Americans that gave us the FREEDOM to be whoever of whatever we wanted to be.
Now, I started following Jesus about two years after the attacks. Enough time for us to still be united and vigilant. What softened my heart to the idea of Jesus, was his followers. I met some humble, kind, loving, giving people who professed to be Christians. They were not like what I had seen or experienced from the church in the past. They were Earthy and fun. Their kids obeyed them and their marriages worked. They talked about books...not just the Bible either. They DIDN'T talk about politics. They prayed about EVERYTHING and when they did, they spoke to Jesus like he was right here with us. The spoke the Father like He was listening and loving and willing to help His children.
Plus....I could see the Father answer the prayers and provide for His children-my new friends.
I pray today that the Father would send His Holy Spirit to His church today. That He would create a Body united under the Banner of Love and that as we look at each other-we see past the dividing lines of politics and the age of the Earth and all the other variations in our free experience with a living and loving Creator and as we did on September 11th, when we just say Americans, we would just see Jesus.
The other thing that eruption of the song "God Bless America" in the mall reminds me of now, although I had no idea of it in 2001, is it's mirror in the book of Exodus.
"Stand beside her and guide her though the night with the light from above" In Exodus 13 we read
21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Jesus says in John 8:12 (New International Version)
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Today, remember. Remember. Remember.
I know, the world keeps turning and at some point, it becomes okay to have swap-meets and block parties on September 11th. It seems we've reached that point. I suppose that's a good thing. Heck, on this years anniversary of the tornado my listeners and I did a Joy Flash Mob and the Tigers home opener. Yet, when I did it, I did it as a celebration of happy memories as an offering of gratitude the Father in Heaven for sending my parents to me and as a recognition of His seventy to take them Home in His perfect time and in His perfect will.
Today, rejoice in anyway that you (and the Bible) see fit, but Brothers and Sisters I beg you, in light of all that Christ has done for us and under the banner of His full blown freedom, UNITE.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you that you've blessed us as Americans and Jesus followers.
Please send your healing power to the families who have lost loved ones in the September 11th attacks. Send your peace to them today and always. United this country. Unite your church.
God, Bless America. God, Bless all of creation.
Thank you for guiding us. Help us to follow you and to be bearers of your light in dark places. Make us bold. Make us brave. Make us humble. Help us to be more like you. Help us to remember your sacrifice and give us willing and sacrifical hearts. Let your kindgom come.
In Jesus name.
Amen
I remember a slight sadness that I had brought her into this world and wondered if I would have chosen to have a baby if I knew that this would happen in her world.
I was terrorised by the terrorist attacks of 9-11.
It was only two years after I'd lost Mom and Dad in the tornado and the crumbling buildings and debris and people wondering around and crying for their loved ones ripped my scabs wide open and I began to bleed as well. This time it was different , though. This time we all bled. This time, as I drove in traffic, wiping back tears to see the road and drivers on either side, they were weeping as well. We wept. We stopped. We hung our flags-all of us. We clamoured to represent the UNITED States of America.
Remember kids forcing red, white and blue plastic cups though chain-linked fences in the shape of the flag? Remember how EVERYONE tied ribbons to their car antennae? United we stood.
Now, I was not a Jesus follower yet, but I knew enough to pray for my enemy, and did.
I still do.
There was an event hosted by my radio station WOMC Detroit, called "Show of Hands for Freedom". We met at major shopping malls will empty billboard paper and listener, thousands and thousands of listeners lined up to dip their hand in red of blue paint and press it onto the sheet. The result was billboards hung in honor all over the city. As they waited, they would spontaneously erupt into song-"God Bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her from the night with the light from above."
We were united. It was beautiful. Broken and beautiful.
Now three things come to mind today...
One is a longing for that kind of united in our nation today and also a deep heart cry for that kind of united in the body of Christ. On September 11th of 2001, there was no rich man and guy on the line. There were Americans. There was no punk rocker and preppy. There were Americans and we KNEW on that day and the days that followed that in was the tremendous blessing of being Americans that gave us the FREEDOM to be whoever of whatever we wanted to be.
Now, I started following Jesus about two years after the attacks. Enough time for us to still be united and vigilant. What softened my heart to the idea of Jesus, was his followers. I met some humble, kind, loving, giving people who professed to be Christians. They were not like what I had seen or experienced from the church in the past. They were Earthy and fun. Their kids obeyed them and their marriages worked. They talked about books...not just the Bible either. They DIDN'T talk about politics. They prayed about EVERYTHING and when they did, they spoke to Jesus like he was right here with us. The spoke the Father like He was listening and loving and willing to help His children.
Plus....I could see the Father answer the prayers and provide for His children-my new friends.
I pray today that the Father would send His Holy Spirit to His church today. That He would create a Body united under the Banner of Love and that as we look at each other-we see past the dividing lines of politics and the age of the Earth and all the other variations in our free experience with a living and loving Creator and as we did on September 11th, when we just say Americans, we would just see Jesus.
The other thing that eruption of the song "God Bless America" in the mall reminds me of now, although I had no idea of it in 2001, is it's mirror in the book of Exodus.
"Stand beside her and guide her though the night with the light from above" In Exodus 13 we read
21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Jesus says in John 8:12 (New International Version)
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Today, remember. Remember. Remember.
I know, the world keeps turning and at some point, it becomes okay to have swap-meets and block parties on September 11th. It seems we've reached that point. I suppose that's a good thing. Heck, on this years anniversary of the tornado my listeners and I did a Joy Flash Mob and the Tigers home opener. Yet, when I did it, I did it as a celebration of happy memories as an offering of gratitude the Father in Heaven for sending my parents to me and as a recognition of His seventy to take them Home in His perfect time and in His perfect will.
Today, rejoice in anyway that you (and the Bible) see fit, but Brothers and Sisters I beg you, in light of all that Christ has done for us and under the banner of His full blown freedom, UNITE.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you that you've blessed us as Americans and Jesus followers.
Please send your healing power to the families who have lost loved ones in the September 11th attacks. Send your peace to them today and always. United this country. Unite your church.
God, Bless America. God, Bless all of creation.
Thank you for guiding us. Help us to follow you and to be bearers of your light in dark places. Make us bold. Make us brave. Make us humble. Help us to be more like you. Help us to remember your sacrifice and give us willing and sacrifical hearts. Let your kindgom come.
In Jesus name.
Amen
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Summer
My Father has been showing up. My father has also my showing up.
My Father, in Heaven is showing up so big time. He's found us church, an amaing realtor and mortgage man. He's found us a house and great schools for our kids. He's blessed us with a Farmers Market and Zumba studio, a garden and art center. Seriously, Lord, you amaze. Did I mention the library?
Yep.
He is good.
Funny thing....I didn't want to go.
In the interest of full disclosure...Detroit is the only city in the world I said I didn't want to live in.
My grandparents lived about an hour out of Detroit in a city called Richmond.
My grandpa worked for Ford and my grandma was a school secretary.
They discribed Detroit like this:
"We used to go down to Detroit all the time."
"Oh yes, we'd eat at the old Hudsons. What great salads"
"But now it's just too dangerous to go there. I wish we could."
Then, when Grandpa was at work, Grandma would sweap me down to the Eastern Market where Uncle Eddy and my dad used to sell the family's produce on Saturday.
I love the Eastern Market and when I go there, I am reminded of what I think Heaven will be like.
Every smell, color, race. Energy, love, joy, community, history, authenticity. I am certain that I see the Lord there.
I will miss Detroit's Eastern Market.
My Father, in Heaven is showing up so big time. He's found us church, an amaing realtor and mortgage man. He's found us a house and great schools for our kids. He's blessed us with a Farmers Market and Zumba studio, a garden and art center. Seriously, Lord, you amaze. Did I mention the library?
Yep.
He is good.
Funny thing....I didn't want to go.
In the interest of full disclosure...Detroit is the only city in the world I said I didn't want to live in.
My grandparents lived about an hour out of Detroit in a city called Richmond.
My grandpa worked for Ford and my grandma was a school secretary.
They discribed Detroit like this:
"We used to go down to Detroit all the time."
"Oh yes, we'd eat at the old Hudsons. What great salads"
"But now it's just too dangerous to go there. I wish we could."
Then, when Grandpa was at work, Grandma would sweap me down to the Eastern Market where Uncle Eddy and my dad used to sell the family's produce on Saturday.
I love the Eastern Market and when I go there, I am reminded of what I think Heaven will be like.
Every smell, color, race. Energy, love, joy, community, history, authenticity. I am certain that I see the Lord there.
I will miss Detroit's Eastern Market.
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