Rev. Ray and Pat Amos
Years ago I stood in a mountain top cemetery in Buchanan County, Virginia and looked out over what seemed to be layers of other mountain tops. The trees seemed to sway as though they were dancing a mountain ballet. I have never forgotten that day or view. Somehow I keep thinking of it as I write today’s story.
She sat on her thinking rock at the top of the tall hill. The way up to it was getting harder, but she had found many answers to life’s questions on this very spot. A breeze made a whispering whistle through the branches of the Cypress tree. (Mountain folks said it was the voice of God.) It was His voice she wanted to hear.
She watched the tree tops gracefully sway in unison and imagined that unseen troops of angels were passing over with their marching feet barley touching them. Her years had been many, and she was sure that she had met some of the angel band personally.
Some people said that she had a simple faith; but they couldn’t know that simple faith often comes out of hard trials. One by one she had followed the sorrowful chariot up this hillside, and each time she looked to the hills, and watched the trees, heard the whispering whistle, and she knew where her help came from. “My help comes from the Lord who made Heaven and the earth.”
Today there was just a longing to be with him. Oh she had sat on this rock often and cried for favor, but not today. She just looked at this panoramic vestibule of Heaven as she held a little worn Bible like one would hold the hand of God. There was a sweet fragrance of summer grass and honeysuckle; the warmth of sun was serenaded by the unworried birds; and she knew that in her heart and soul all was well. Her tired years were comforted as she heard the still soft voice of God.
“The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills…Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come.” Song of Solomon 2:8-12
