Isaiah 55:1-3
Come all you who are thirsty, come to the water; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live.

The above scripture reference out of Isaiah is a call to humanity from the LORD through the prophet Isaiah. He is declaring, very clearly I might add, that He is the better way! Come, come; He is beseeching us to draw near to him and accept what he has to give to us! A value cannot be placed on it. It cannot be purchased with money. Why? Because Jesus Christ has already purchased it for us! It is a gift of unprecedented proportion! He says come and eat and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. I have only been in a few venues where I would consider it the richest of fare. My spirit, soul and body will delight; I will be filled with joy beyond words to describe! To top it all off; my soul will live! In fact, I will live forever and ever with my beloved LORD!

The year was 1986. We were living in the beautiful state of New Hampshire. At the time, Nate was working for the FAA as an air traffic control specialist. We had moved there a year earlier in our big blue van. The government was not paying for this move so we traveled with only those things that were absolutely necessary for a family of five. We were young and excited about a new adventure, a new beginning!

For the first month we lived in a motel as we were searching for appropriate housing. God soon provided the perfect large house for our expanding family. We were living in a small town called, Cornish. It set right on the Connecticut River that divided New Hampshire from Vermont. It was the most picturesque place we had ever lived. The seasons were distinct and quite amazing for a Florida girl. We settled right in, making friends and becoming part of this rural community. Our children were ages four, two and a half, and 14 months. I was a stay at home mom with plenty to keep me busy! I loved my husband, my children and my life.

Within a year of moving to New Hampshire; we were tested in our faith like we had never been tested before. We also had many encounters with Jesus that strengthened our faith. I began with the scripture in Isaiah because had I not been in relationship with Jesus, I would have been emotionally distraught and without hope.

In September of 1986, I became pregnant with our fourth child. We were excited about a new addition to our family. I remember in one of my quiet times the LORD speaking to me about this child. He told me that she was a girl and to name her, Ruth. Things progressed quite well throughout the next few months. In my sixteenth week of pregnancy I began to show signs that something might be wrong with the pregnancy. I wasn’t feeling any life. I had been pregnant three other times and knew what it should be feeling like. I then began having pain; and went directly to see my doctor. They could not pick up any heartbeat and decided to do an ultrasound. He came back with the results no pregnant woman wants to hear, “this is no longer a viable pregnancy.”

We lost our little baby girl twenty-four hours later. It was very difficult for Nate and me; as we had already grown to love this little one. A few days later, I was putting our children to bed and still grieving terribly. I remember thinking that; I needed to get a handle on my emotions. I just couldn’t continue on with the sorrow I was feeling. I still had to be strong for my children. They were so small and didn’t really comprehend what had taken place.

That night, Nate was working a midnight to eight in the morning shift. I went into my bedroom after putting the kids down for the night. I took my medicine that had been prescribed for me, and laid down in my bed. I was crying and also praying to my Father to help me through this tough time. I specifically asked him to take my grief and also to wake me up at three a.m. to take my medicine again. I fell almost immediately into a sound sleep. The next thing I know; I am awakened by what sounded like a mighty rushing wind. Keep in mind; it was in the middle of January in New Hampshire. The windows were tightly shut! I leapt from my bed because I was so startled. I looked at the clock and it read two forty-five. I thought to myself and may have even verbalized out loud, “You are early!” I took my pills and lay back down. I sensed a strong presence; it was sweet and completely filling my room.

The LORD then spoke to me saying, “Do not grieve for Ruth anymore, she is with me and she is glorious! Blessed is the fruit of your womb, you will conceive again.” I accepted his words and fell back into a deep, peaceful sleep. I awoke the next morning completely changed. I no longer felt the pain in my heart that had become a constant companion for days after the miscarriage. I shared what had taken place that evening with my husband, Nate. We both were comforted by the sweetness and sensitivity of our Savior. We experienced Jesus in a new facet as our comforter.We did conceive only two months later; and God gave us our beautiful daughter Rebekah Victoria. In preparing for this today; I was seeking Holy Spirit’s guidance as I always do when writing. This is what He shared with me.

My ways are far above your ways. I have plans that cannot be explained or understood by you. You need to trust me. I mark your days and your nights. They are numbered. My strength is being perfected in you while you are here on earth. This is only a shadow of what’s to come. A momentary blink in eternity is what you are experiencing in your life. You taste my glory while you are here on earth; but when you pass to the other side you will be immersed continually in my goodness and my presence. That is why, I said to you, “Do not grieve for Ruth anymore. She is glorious.”

The LORD was telling me, “She is completely immersed in my goodness!” I could not mourn for her anymore. I look forward to being reacquainted with Ruth in eternity; but I know she is experiencing in fullness the glory of our LORD. I am forever thankful for the trials of life; for without them I would not have the assurance or faith that I have today!

Psalm 90:4
For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by or like a watch in the night.