“One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can’t utter.” ~James Earl Jones (1931-), actor
I call myself a wordsmith … and yet there are times I find myself at a loss for words.
This is one of those times.
On Tuesday I crammed a few belongings into my car and left my home as smoke and ash from the Waldo Canyon Fire swirled around me. Later that evening as I drove to a friend’s home, I looked west to the Foothills and saw homes burning.
No words — only a gasp. A “Dear God” escaping my lips.
Each day I’ve listened to hours of news, my journalism training prompting me to type updates on my Facebook page.
I’m stunned and saddened and amazed and thankful.
Friends and family are flooding my Facebook page with messages of concern, love, prayers, offers of help …
Again, no words. I’ve never appreciated the “Like” button more.
In Your Words: When have words failed you?
I’m over at Novel Rocket today, talking about pet peeves, mistakes … and you even get a glimpse of my office, which I can’t get to right now because my house is in one of the Waldo Canyon Fire evacuated zones. Ironic, yes?
Comments 17
Oh my goodness. I am so sorry to hear what you have been going through. My prayers are with you and all those effected.
So thankful things are turning around for you w/ the Waldo fire, though grieving for those with many losses, now even loss of life.
My current adult college students are leaving me w/o words. They’re looking after me in various ways, arranging a potluck our final session, thinking of ways to help me get furniture to the farm, since I don’t have a truck or trailer hitch. They’re behaving like family & I’m blown away.
You know, for being a writer this has happened more than I’d think it should.
Happened more as I was growing up than in recent years. But we’ve had a few smackdowns this year that have left me struggling to find words.
~ Wendy
Sometimes words aren’t enough but I am glad they are ministering to you.Prayed again this morning as I woke,thinking about all of you there waiting and hoping for good news! Thank you for the updates too!
Beth, you are in my prayers, along with all the others suffering from the fire devastation. My husband and I are spending the summer in Greeley (from Kansas City) and are really saddened about what is happening…praying for rain, soaking rain, praying for you and others who have had to evacuate. Take care. So sorry. This is really tought, I am sure. Holly Michael
This past weekend at our fundraiser.
Thinking of you, friend. Praying for everybody in Colorado Springs!
Beth, there are no words to say to possibly comfort or relieve the pain and burden of this awful time. Please know that when my words are few, my prayers are many.
I’m just so glad you and yours are fine. We all know that “things” can be replaced, but not our loved ones.
You, and your neighbors, have constantly been in my prayers…
I think watching TV on September 11, 2001 left me pretty speechless.
Thankful you’re okay, Beth, but still praying for everyone in CO. Yes, those are the times the Holy Spirit has to interpret our hearts’ thoughts into words to give our Heavenly Father. Praying for comfort for you!
You’re right. Sometimes, we just cannot find words for what we’re feeling. Even as a writer, so often I would write poetry just because I couldn’t explain my emotions in normal prose. I had to just write whatever came to mind, even if it came out in symbols, colors, and metaphors.
Still praying for you, friend!
Continuing to pray for you and your family, Beth. As well as all those suffering out there. Although it comes from very different circumstances, I am currently in one of those “loss for words” times.
I absolutely love Romans 8:26 for that very reason. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.”
It was so good to see you on the chat last night at MBT. Praying for you, praying for rain, praying for the men and women fighting the fire.
I’m still praying, too, Beth. I’m so glad you’re safe…continuing to pray for protection and for a hefty miracle for the whole wildfire area.
A time when words escape me…playing with my nephew Ollie this weekend…he’s just the most amazing little boy. I just keep saying the same ones over and over: Ohhh, I love you, Ollie.
Dear Beth,
Praying for you and for your family…
Praying for you and your family Beth. Reading your posts was an encouragement to me today. Thank you. May God bless you for honoring Him in the tough times. (Melissa’s mom)
The past 7 weeks since my oldest daughter passed away at age 28.
I’ve been praying for you & your family, and those in the midst of these wildfires.
Your posts took me back to a fire that almost took my parent’s home in Scripps Ranch back in 2001. My parents were evacuated to a nearby high school, and my dad went back to check on the house, to make sure it was still standing. The fire came within a couple of blocks, taking most in its path. My husband saw the damage, but my father advised him not to bring me back to see. We lived on the EastCoast at the time…a year later, my parents moved to Florida, selling their home within days of listing it. The first person to view the open house, was a victim of the same fire. She had lost her home, but did not want to raise her kids anywhere else. They bought my parents home and started over. Object lessons on a couple of different levels. Know you and yours are in my prayers, as are those who lost everything in these fires.