Does Your Family Chair Fit?
Tuesday Thought 8.6.24
Two old rockers. Weatherbeaten over fifty years. One passed down from my family; One from Jerry’s. Both handmade. Someone in my family made the rope seat, Shaped the tall slatted back, Cut out the rockers. Jerry’s family purchased a classic Indiana style of bent wood with A splint wood seat, fashioned by a rustic craftsman. In fifty years, I’ve not found more comfortable outdoor seating than the One from Jerry’s family. The Indiana twigs, bent and shaped, Cradles my body, allowing my feet to rest on the rail. When my girl was a baby, I rocked her in it, Fitting my elbows to the middle twig framework, Pushing against the porch railing. Now, I occasionally sit in twilight, watching the wind in the trees, Enjoying the summer lilies in our front yard, Observing the neighborhood. But I never sit in my family’s seat. The thick coarse rope, loosely woven, In spite of a cushion, feels like rocks. The straight back abuses my spine. Jerry and I joined our families when we married And that is displayed on our porch, But one fits me and one doesn’t. Sometimes we do not fit in the family that raised us. For whatever reason, the family chair Does not sit well, Nor allow us to look out on the world from a good place. But God has provided an eternal chair seated with Jesus in the heavenly places, fitted to our needs, Accompanied by the lover of our souls. Glory. The Lord bless you and keep you all your days.