“Let your conversation be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said,’ I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

 I Will Be Content

Friends emailed their itinerary for a week-long road trip that included my birth town. When typing a response, including cherished memories of details about my hometown and family members who lived there, it failed to send. A check in my spirit came almost immediately that it should not be sent–“Oh! It’s not about me, Lord, is it? Okay, please give them safe and recreative travels. Bless them, Father.”

Revisiting their email when praying this morning, it prompted another internet search of all the places they planned to stay throughout many of the beautiful western states. Showing the images of each location to my spouse, an ache to revisit my hometown began to rise in my heart, and tears began to spill as an image of the leather and saddle shop on its main street appeared just as recalled from memories of 62 years ago when as a girl of eight, my dad walked me there from Grandma’s house, just the two of us.

My parents had divorced when I was four, and it was the first time I’d seen or heard from Dad in four years. Strange how the remembered scent of freshly tooled leather and the soft brush of suede fringe returned immediately to mind. Also, the memory of his words after leaving the shop, “Wait here a minute  I have to see a man.”

Patiently, I waited as he crossed the street to the local saloon; waited, waited, until finally, realization that he was not coming back settled firmly in my young mind. Turning, I walked determinedly back along the street and down her driveway to the side door of her house. When entering alone, Mom asked where my dad was. Repeating his words about having to visit a man, a knowing look crossed Mom’s face, and we left soon thereafter to avoid a confrontation between my dad and my stepdad who was incensed at the abandonment.

Many times, over the years, my heavenly Father has peeled away layers of a false identity, “abandoned,” and replaced it with His declaration, “cherished,” yet still after 62 years, the pain of that experience brings tears. I’m wiser now; the thief’s lies are readily recognized and countered with contentment.

“Father, my Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to your word and to me! You are a good, good Father. You are a faithful guide who will never leave me nor forsake me! My trust is in You, and you are my fortress, my high tower, my nest of safety! My life is rich with blessings because of my heritage in You! Amen.”