On the last day of school, in 4th grade, my Mom came to get me … alone. During the drive home she explained to me - in the best words she could find – that we would be moving … again. But, this move would be different than before … because we would be leaving my Father behind.
She went on to explain about ‘two people’ and ‘love’ but my attention span had been spent at that point. I still remember the visual scenes as we drove the familiar path. Time stood still for me as a little girl.
She explained our plans to visit my Grandparents in Texas. That shed a new light on things for me. Her parents and their house full of kids (Mom was an older child in a large family) were my favorite people! The idea of seeing our relatives in Texas was overwhelming, in a good way. The thought of leaving my Dad … well, I had no frame of reference for that information. I felt pulled. I had to conclude that if Mom felt it was alright – then I should, as well.
In short order we left Arizona on a BUS for Texas. The bus ride was long and an adventure I still recall. The smells, sounds, sights and feelings were healing balm for my uncertain soul. In those days bus rides were more elegant than now, more like a train ride is today. I’ve always been one for an adventure – this might explain our family size. 
As we exited the bus in … Timbuktu … my Grandfather’s face is the first thing I saw. I loved this man. He was stable and kind. I would spend the summer in his home and learn of his ways.
One of my Grandfather’s ‘ways’ – was church. If we were in his home – we went to church, every Sunday. It was in these summer services that I heard the gospel – week by week. As the sting of being without my Father would settle in, the comfort of knowing my Heavenly Father would settle in, as well.
My Grandfather led the music at church and I loved it when he sang. He wasn’t a performer, but a worshipper. We’d sing at home and stop everything when he took out the guitar. When we sang, ‘I come to the Garden’ and ‘Just as I Am’, in my young mind, I translated the ‘I’ in the songs = ‘me’ in my pew. During this summer, faith was birthed in my heart and I was ruined for the ordinary, because I knew – that I knew – the love of an Almighty God who saved me and was watching over … even me.
Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for Heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
I’m continuing my story with Mommy’s Piggy Tales.
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I feel like I just wait for the next installment of your story. You’re such a beautiful writer and I loved this part of your story, especially when you said you were “ruined for the ordinary”. The parallel of leaving your earthly Father but finding your Heavenly Father is sad but beautiful … and speaks of God’s amazing faithfulness.
Debi…this is what I have loved about this Mommy Piggy Tale is seeing God’s hand. He is always there…the death of a father on one post this week, your parents divorce, unconventional up bring….He was there!!!! What an awesome God we serve…at this age my mother lost her Dad to cancer, then she was put in Buckner’s Children’s home here in Dallas…God was there. Her mother sang all the hymns you mentioned above…I can still hear her in my ears….in praise even after being widowed twice and five children to raise. Each of my post reminds me of His faithfulness that encourages me in my “todays”…in my parenting, in my life.
This is a precious post! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your sweet sharing. I love hearing stories of how our sweet savior redeems hearts like ours. Redemption, redemption. Abba, I am Yours.
It’s comforting to realize that Christ was with me when I was a child, even when I didn’t know Him. Loving me, protecting me, and waiting for me.
Thank you for sharing with us Debi.
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I can just hear George Beverly Shea’s deep, rich voice singing that song. : )
What a powerful story – I’m so sorry for your heartache as a child but I’m so thankful that it led you to Christ.
Debi, what a beautiful and thoughtful post… Thank you for sharing.
I love that song. I am often reminded of it. Sometimes I am staring out the window and my mind is racing. Then I see one little bird and am comforted by the thought of our Heavenly Father’s love.
This is a beautiful, perfect reminder of how God uses all circumstances for good. You are a beautiful writer, Debi, and I look forward to visiting again and again!
First of all the picture of the bird is beautiful as are your words. That must have been a very daunting experience for a little girl, leaving her home and Daddy and moving away, not understanding the why or the wherefore. A wonderfully written story.
So beautiful…one of my favorite songs…Gosh it’s hard to go through things at a young age… i often think of the times of trial and how they strengthened my faith so much…God’s will always prevails and you are His chosen one!
Thanks for the quotation from “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” Today is the 144th anniversary of the birth of the Canadian author of the hymn, Civilla Martin. And if you’ve never heard Ethel Waters unique version, check it out on my hymn blog today, Wordwise Hymns. God bless.