God's Surprising Treasures

Even in life's darkest places- God's treasure can be found.
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • RSS
Join us in the adventure...
  • Home
  • Meet the Barclays
  • My Journey
    • The Black Forest
    • Living Between The Trees
    • Green Pastures
    • Mountains Of Perspective
    • Cave of Confusion
    • Surrender Falls
    • Diving Deep
    • Quick Sands of Self Pity
  • Best of Bethany
  • Blog
  • Treasure in Challenges
Search the site...
  • Home
  • "Treasure Trove" Blog Roll
  • Silent Stars

Silent Stars

December 15, 2012 / Cindy Barclay / "Treasure Trove" Blog Roll
6

Silent Stars

by Edy T. Johnson- copyright 2009- reprinted with permission

.starry

It wasn’t Christmas, but the view out the small window made me think it could be. Above, stars—scattered like snowflakes across the navy sky—looked down on their reflection below, the twinkling lights of home. In contrast to the storm inside me, the sight radiated a peace so sweetly tender, it conveyed to me something of the awesome love of God. The words played in my head, “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie….”

.

.

Captain Edy 1968 military nurse

Captain Edy 1968 military nurse

The turmoil of the past year had come to an end, but the memory of it haunted me like a powerful novel or movie might. Had it all been a dream? Or, did I really live through it? Of course, I had, but returning home messed with my perspective. One day I was at work in the combat zone, wondering how I could be leaving with the job unfinished. What had my presence there accomplished? The situation was the same as when I arrived, as if I had merely entered stage right, crossed to the other side and exited stage left. I shouldn’t be going home. Not now, anyway. Yet, the next day I would be “back in the world” as if waking from a long winter’s sleep.

I thought of one Vietnamese boy, a long-time patient, who tried unsuccessfully to hide his tears when he realized we were saying our final goodbyes to him. I could never forget him, or the headquarters’ officer who had “adopted” our hospital ward. Whenever this man showed up, usually bringing crayons, coloring books or other treats for the children, the boy cried out with delight, “Meester Ceegar!” Soon, we called both the boy and the cigar-chomping officer by the same name. My heart rebelled against leaving my storehouse of patients and coworkers behind.

 

weepingSo now, with the heart-wrenching good-byes over, I wept in silence, all the way home. The bus from Travis Air Force Base had dropped us and our luggage between the two terminals at the San Francisco airport. It seemed somehow appropriate that it was pouring rain, drenching our luggage and our uniforms. Heaven masked our own tears as we bade farewell to friendships forged in the fires of duty to God and country.

 

A grandfatherly man sat in the aisle seat, an empty space between us. I was grateful that he didn’t try to make conversation. I thought of the doctor, a stranger across the aisle on another flight more than a year before. Noticing my uniform, he had a lot of helpful advice to offer from his time in the Pacific during World War II. I appreciated that conversation, then. I appreciated even more the silence, now.

What must he be thinking! I figured he could guess, seeing a young woman so wasted from the tropic heat that she no longer filled out her summer uniform. He would realize I was returning from a tour of duty, something of an emotional wreck who needed to resolve a year’s worth of experience, questions, memories before presenting a normal face to the family waiting at home.

angelprotect

 

But, a definite gentleness about this man made me wonder. Could he be lifting me up in prayer? Just as the view out the window stunned me with its inexpressible sense of the most beautiful “peace on earth, good will to men” message, I felt a similar comfort, near as my own breath. Somehow, it seemed as if my grief and I were enveloped in the strong embrace of the softest downy wings. Surely, he had to be praying for me, pitiful sight that I must have been. Or, just perhaps, could it be that this man was actually something more? Could it be that God had sent His angel to escort me safely all the way home?

 

*

starHow silently, how silently, The wondrous Gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven.

No ear may hear his coming, But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in.*

–Phillips Brooks

(*Third stanza, “O little town of Bethlehem”)

treasurechest1Surprising Treasure: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” —Daniel 12:3

Copyright 2009—Edy T Johnson

I Need a Silent Night- by Amy Grant

Amy Grant, angel, Christmas, Edy Johnson, fallen world, Gift of God, I Need a Silent Night, inspiration, living between the trees, O Little Town of Bethlehem, orphans, overcoming, Silent Night, Silent Stars, transformation, treasure, war

6 comments on “Silent Stars”

  1. Cindy says:
    December 15, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    This tugs at my heart. Oh, how we need a silent night- We need Him to impart His presence and love into our lives! Edy, as I contemplate how weary and exhausted you must have been, it blesses me beyond words that your experience shows we are never beyond His reach or shelter. How many times are we attended to by angels unaware?

    Reply
    • Edy says:
      December 16, 2012 at 3:04 am

      Just think of all the surprising encounters we have here that we’ll discover we had only after “the roll is called up yonder!” Thanks for the lovely “frame” you designed to accompany my story. I love you all to pieces, Cindy!

      Reply
      • Cindy says:
        December 16, 2012 at 3:41 pm

        Love you too! It will be so awesome to see history through heaven’s eyes! I think we’re going to be very surprised at how intimately involved He was in our lives when we were oblivious to His presence! hugs and thanks again for sharing!

        Reply
  2. Jeff Barclay says:
    December 16, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    We are the sum of our experiences. Not all of which we have asked, but each one we should embrace and use for His greater glory. Edy, I can tell you have done that. Your life has quietly, silently made an impact on the Barclays. Thank you for your support and encouragement of Cindy’s writing. Edy, you have the gift of encouragement. Thank you for your light!

    Reply
  3. Edy T Johnson says:
    October 22, 2020 at 2:09 am

    Jeff – I don’t recall seeing this post of yours, and I’m nearly eight years tardy. Thank you for your kind words. We are all so blessed to be part of the Church of the Firstborn, and thanks to FaithWriters He has crossed our paths with such kindred spirit friends as dear Cindy. All God’s best to all of your lovely, expanding family. Love to all, Edy

    Reply
    • Cindy Barclay says:
      December 16, 2024 at 10:59 pm

      I miss you Edy! You were a treasure of encouragement and love to me! We will have a reunion someday!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Through the Years- Senior Slide Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exho72dEiDI&t=62s

Get Surprising Treasure by Email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Bethany Senior Dance solo- Dazzlers- Lied Center

https://youtu.be/laquT6pIR_4

Bethany’s wins a dance award

http://www.surprisingtreasures.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/dazzlers-awards-video.mp4

[panel style=”default” title=”My Surprising Journey” text_align=”left”]

What is God’s Surprising Treasures?

“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.” Isaiah 45:3

I hope this web site will be an encouragement… [Read More][/panel]

 

 

[panel style=”default” title=”About Cindy” text_align=”left”]Jeff & Cindy

Hi, I’m Cindy- 35 years of “livin” with my prince charming, Jeff. I’m a home maker, not a house wife, parent of 7, memory maker, mama bear, Nana to 11 & counting, Pastor’s wife and I’m daily amazed by the depths of God’s love.

I love reading, home schooling, encouraging others, playing the piano, worshiping, dating my husband, and planning parties and retreats for our clan. Someday, I really want a horse and learn to play the cello and viola.

[/panel]

(c) 2013 God's Surprising Treasures