Photo by javs lopez on Unsplash
From the east to the west
A number of years ago I took my elderly mother to her father’s family reunion, in far northwest Iowa. Really far northwest Iowa. Like, the corner of Iowa that is almost Minnesota and not quite South Dakota. It was a long drive from my home in St. Louis—following the Mississippi River for a time, and then heading west across Iowa, following my mother’s directions. Mom never liked traveling on the interstates, so we were on this state highway and that county road. It was not the direct route at all, but each turn we took was filled with memories for her from making this drive over the years with Dad driving instead of me.
I had so much to learn on this trip—things to learn about Mom, about her past, about her parents and ancestors. And I had so much to learn about myself—about my own habits and tendencies. I had to learn patience and grace, and, above all, love for my mother and all that that meant in her autumn years. So what if she read every road sign aloud, regularly checked my speed against the posted limit, and whistled incessantly? Who cares? (I can say that now—now that I have learned those lessons.)
But there were other lessons, too. Lessons about the sovereign mercies of the Lord as they unfold over time and generations. Lessons about forgiveness and restoration. And lessons about the vastness of our Father’s love and grace.
One of the sweetest ah-ha moments came as we drove west-to-east across Iowa on our way home. Northern Iowa is flat-flat-flat, with corn fields reaching out as far as the eye can see in the straightest, cleanest rows that one can imagine. From the east horizon to the far-away west horizon stretched those corn fields that day as we drove, corn stalks glistening green in the hot July sun.
“As far as the east is from the west…” I mused, as I turned my gaze from left to right…and then it hit me: “As far as the east is to the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us….” (Psalm 103:12). I knew that verse well, of course. Yet on that sun-filled afternoon, our journey across the prairie showed me just how far that was! From one horizon to the other, and behind us, and ahead of us stretched the vastness of His creation—and His love! Apparently, I sometimes need a visual to have something really sink in, and this was new and wonderful way to contemplate just what that meant!
See that haze way over there, where the sky meets the earth? Now look—look over there! See that horizon? I can’t even SEE that horizon! That’s how far—how FAR my Lord has gathered up my bundle of messy, dirty failures and sins and transgressions, and FLUNG them! He took them from me, and He flung them away from me!! From there………………………………………………………………………………………….to THERE!
My sin is gone, washed white as snow in His precious blood, and as far from me now as the east is from the west. Forgiven. Forever forgiven! Oh, my Savior! Oh, my Lord! Thank You, Heavenly Father, for this visual—this heart picture—of what You have done!
Photo by Jordan Chapell
About Kathy
Kathy Chapell is the wife of Dr. Bryan Chapell, mother to four grown and married children, grandmother to six (currently). She has taught preschool music, high school music, private flute and piano lessons, and directed church choirs. She has been a pastor’s wife, professor’s wife, and seminary president’s wife. Kathy is an accomplished musician, seminar speaker, loves to do jigsaw puzzles, and is an avid mystery book reader. Bryan and Kathy have four married children and a growing number of adorable grandchildren. The Chapells live in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Several years ago, I took my elderly mother on a road trip to a family reunion. I learned a lot during those four days of travel with her—about my mother, and about myself—but also about my heritage—my heritage through generations of believing mothers.
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Come down easy—
Come down easy, dear soul
Into the place prepared for you.
Come down easy,
Come down easy, dear soul,
Into the rest you need,
The place prepared for you,
Oh, come down easy.
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