Long Shadows
I have been spending a lot of time lately watching the results of past actions, decisions, and events. When your baby baby (the youngest), approaches high school graduation, there is a lot of time spent reflecting on all of her accomplishments and shenanigans. Pictures are unearthed that you may not have seen for years to prepare for a slideshow. Those pictures evoke memories of all sorts of emotions and, with the benefit of hindsight, you can see how they helped shape the person your child has become.
Some of the foreshadowing is not surprising. Having always been bright and bubbly with a flair for the dramatic, it is no surprise that Lyssabeth loves performing in musical theater. She has always been a great balance between girlie girl and tomboy so no role is out of the question, no flying apparatus is too high, and no song is too difficult for her to tackle.
Other shadows are more subtle, but they are there. That same young lady who has always had a unique perspective is growing into a faithful young lady who might buck when forced to do something, but if given the freedom to choose, will pick the right, kind, and thoughtful thing to do.
I actually got the idea of long shadows in my nightly Bible reading. I had never noticed this phrase back in Isaiah, but what a beautiful shadow. Before the well-known image of Christ in chapter 53, you can read the Lord’s response to Zion’s claim that He has forgotten them: “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16a).
What beautiful foreshadowing of the fact that our Lord would, indeed, engrave His love for us on His hands. Look back through your life and realize how often the shadow of the cross has made all the difference.
“…for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Hebrews 13:5b
AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
