Mari Isaacson

I sit here staring at a blank piece of paper… heavy hearted, unsure of what to write. These past three weeks have been difficult beyond words.

More friends than I want to count have lost loved ones in this time. How do you mourn with those who mourn? An amazing book I read in the last week was excellent in this regard. Highly recommendable: Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman. Her honesty is refreshing and encouraging. If you have lost someone, it could be a help to you.

Depression is not something I struggle with much but it tore through my soul and held me fast for over a week, leaving me edgy and exhausted. The experience allowed me to better identify with friends of mine who struggle on a regular basis from depression, some more so than others.

Not feeling well, not sleeping well, not getting enough work done, and feeling very very lonely have all contributed to the difficulties since returning from my trip to Ontario and Winnipeg last month. But I am not alone in any of these things. Thus, I would like to share a poem with you I wrote many years ago, but fits well for today. If you are struggling remember, this too shall pass…

This Too Shall Pass

Here we are, Lord
just You and me
alone, in this room.
Your arms are outstretched,
and to them I go…
tears streaming,
I stand there clinging
wanting You to hold me tight.
I am hurting, Lord,
with pain that is deep,
But who cares?
Who cares?
You say, “I care.”
And I know that You do,
for I remember that it was
for me
You died.
You hold me,
You love me,
You stay by my side.
“This too shall pass,” are Your comforting words,
“Yes, this too shall pass!”
Understand?
Me?
I don’t!
Oh the frustration’s there
But stray I won’t.
You alone are my source of joy,
of peace,
of unfailing love.
Yes, I will trust You
for this too shall pass!

So, in the midst of your struggles and sorrow, I wish you JOY! This too shall pass.

Blessings,

mari

Children never cease to totally amaze me. I am awed by their sincerity, their honesty. But this one child I will never forget.

It was a big children’s pumpkin festival at the end of October that CEF Alberta was privileged to be a part of. We had the wonderful task of sharing the gospel with hundreds of children and their parents in 15-minute presentations. We took turns. It was fun. It was fascinating. It was challenging. It was totally rewarding!

At the end of each slot two children had the opportunity to win something. The task of asking the questions and giving out the gifts was given to me and I greatly enjoyed it. One gift was extra special. It was also only for a child under 5 years of age. It was supposed to go to some very special child. But how do you pick out that special child in the midst of hundreds that would show up during the 3 hour program? So I prayed. Continually.

There came a point during the afternoon where I felt the Spirit say “Now.” So, I called all the 3 and 4 year olds down to the front. The question I asked these little ones I had asked many times before. “What was the most special thing God created?”

Anticipating the normal “me” response, I was surprised when this little girl, full of pride, replied; “my brother!” Immediately the brother, around 7 or 8 years old, jumped up from his seat, pointed to himself, and excitedly shouted, “That’s me! That’s me! She’s talking about me!”

Their mother was also in the audience. She was overwhelmed. Awed. Her reply filled with emotion; “you can’t imagine how much that means to me…”

We had found that special child.

But you know, to God YOU are that special child. Have you ever taken the time to meditate on Psalm 139? It’s all about what God thinks about you! Just a sample is found in verses 14 to 16:

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

God doesn’t stop there with His love for us. Read verses 17 and 18!

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.

Do you grasp the implications of those two verses? He is constantly thinking about you. He is always there. We don’t always feel His presence, but He is there nonetheless. Moreover, He wants us to trust Him. Are you willing to wait upon Him?

Wait Upon Me

By Mari Isaacson

Wait upon Me, my child,

Though it’s difficult and dreary around.

Wait upon Me, my child,

Don’t you perceive I’m your solid ground.

I love you, My child,

Can’t you fathom it’s true.

I love you, My child,

And I’m ever present to bring you through.

Wait upon Me, My child,

Have confidence that I truly do care.

Wait upon Me, My child,

For I have My faultless plan to share.

Be of good courage, My child,

Look to me each day.

Be of good courage, My child,

Step out and pursue My way.

Wait upon Me, My child,

I’ll supply you with the strength you need.

Wait upon Me, My child,

Glorify Me through your life and deed.

Blessings to you as you pray that many children here in Alberta will come to know Jesus as their personal Savior! Blessings to you as you realize just how special you are to the Father. May that love continually change your life forever!

Mari Isaacson

Jeremiah 31, 3 says: The Lord appeared from of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you.

What an awesome verse! Look at it for a moment. Meditate on it. My grammar is not the greatest, believe me, but… there is LOTS of action in that one verse. Furthermore, it is all coming from the same source: The Lord. He appeared. He spoke to me. He loved me. He has drawn me. He continued His faithfulness to me.

Words fail me as I sit here pondering the truths in that one verse. I am humbled. I am overwhelmed. I am awed.

Through this poem I wrote during a very difficult time in my life, I long to give you encouragement in whatever problems or struggles you are facing right now. It is my prayer this poem will give you hope and a fresh new look at our heavenly Father who loves you so very dearly.

Father, My Father

By Mari Isaacson

Father, my Father

Even after all this time

It is difficult to believe it is true;

YOU, Holy God

Are my Father

And I genuinely belong to You.

I am awed

And utterly amazed

More than words can begin to express.

Yes, to grasp

That even before the foundation of the world

You chose me just for this.

To be Your child

YOUR CHILD

Through the good and bad of it all.

You paid the price

Because You love me,

Father, I stand in dumbfounded awe.

Then too

What about all the times I’ve fallen

And didn’t have the courage to stand.

But there You were

Right beside me

Holding out Your supporting hand.

There were also those times

I felt absolutely alone

And didn’t believe You really cared.

Oh I realize now

How extremely ignorant I was

Of Your compassionate friendship wanting to be shared.

Father, You love me

And it is not a temporal love

Like that of the world in which I live.

Your love Father

Is unconditional and eternal

An expression of the life You give.

Oh the ecstasy in knowing

I can talk to you, King of all,

At absolutely any time of the day.

It doesn’t matter

What I’ve done or how I feel

You listen, actually listen, to every word I say.

To delight

Truly delight myself in You Father

Do I really understand what that means?

Obviously not

For I still struggle

In seeking delight and acceptance in other things.

Oh yes, to laugh

Like a child who’s secure

And knows what it means to have fun.

To be content

Taking time to appreciate You

Having eyes to see each thing that You have done.

It is difficult to accept

That You, as my Father,

Correct me when I am wrong.

But I am learning too

That even in my darkest hour

You can fill my heart with joyful song.

You are righteous

A God who absolutely

Can have nothing to do with sin.

As my Father though,

You have forgiven me totally;

I stand before You forever un-condemned.

Wow!

All these years I’ve questioned You

And found it hard to trust that You do know best.

I cannot promise

I won’t ever doubt You again,

But I do want to be faithful in each and every test.

Father, my heavenly Father,

Here we are, just the two of us

And I am struggling once again.

But oh the delight in knowing

You are my Father

And You actually call me Your “friend”.

Slowly but surely Father

I am starting to realize

What a treasure it is in knowing You.

From the depth of my heart

I long to please You

In everything that I say and do.

I love You, Father,

I love You.

I am at a loss at what more to say than this.

Your love

I’ll share with others and say,

“You too can be a child of His!”

Blessings to you as you meditate on the awesomeness of your heavenly Father!

mari

Have you suffered loss? A loved one? A friend? Even an acquaintance? There have been different friends and family members of mine who have suffered loss in the last few months and I am always at a loss as to what to say. It doesn’t mean I care any less. My heart really goes out to you. For I too have suffered loss: Some recent. Some not so recent.

Thus, I would like to dedicate my article this week to you. This poem is a result of some of the deeper losses I have experienced. Though life does go on, those losses will always tug at my memory, reminding me of special people who will never be forgotten.

Even if your loss was not even recent, this poem is for you. Hopefully it will be a blessing to you: A hug in your time of sorrow. This is my hug to you. Thank you for taking the time to let me grieve with you.

Engraved On My Heart

by Mari Isaacson

I looked for your face:

Those eyes full of expression,

The many facets of your moods,

Your laughing lips.

But now there are only shadows,

So changeable in the wind.

I listened for your voice:

The talks,

Your humming and singing,

Your laughter.

But now there are just whispers,

Hidden well within the walls.

With you things were different:

You sought me out,

You spent time with me,

You were always there for me.

I know,

To you I was very important.

Please don’t let me forget:

Your humor,

Your tenderness,

Your capacity to listen.

Everything, really,

Was a treasured gift.

You were a part of me:

My brother,

My friend,

My confidant.

The separation hurts,

It tears at my soul.

There are moments when I still sense you:

A fragrance that was like you,

An object that was from you,

An experience that we had together.

The memories,

They bring tears to my eyes.

But then I think, what if:

You never existed?

Our paths had never crossed?

You had never loved me?

My life,

It would be totally different.

There will be a reunion in Heaven:

You are gone,

I can’t cling to you anymore,

I must leave you in God’s hands.

For this,

I am so grateful to God.

Looking back I have my regrets:

That I held you at a distance,

That I was too afraid of disappointment,

That I was silent about my true feelings.

The time is past,

It’s just too late.

I did love you:

Even when the pain is less today than yesterday,

Even when the tears no longer stream,

Even when your face is no longer clear in my mind.

Believe me,

You’re eternally engraved on my heart.

Blessings,

mari