beautifully real

My friend Dan stayed with us for a few days this past week. He is a writer (he wrote this book), a poet, a scholar, an amazing conversationalist, and a devoted friend. We have been talking and writing to one another for 18 years.

Four nights in a row we stayed up very late talking and talking. He opened his heart up and lots of pain poured out. And lots of joy. He loves Jesus fiercely. He has been hurt deeply. He was a missionary kid in Saigon and Singapore during the Tet offensive. His story is astounding...and so is he.

He has gone back to Portland now but left boxes and boxes of books with me. Books that he and his father have collected over several decades. Some we will load up and take to Dan in Portland. The others are a gift. I opened one box and held up an old and tattered (1928) copy of Getting Acquainted with God--a Book of Devotions for Use in Homes Where There are Children. The dedication reads: THIS BOOK IS INSCRIBED TO DOROTHY ROGERS BARSTOW, WHO MAKES GOD BEAUTIFULLY REAL IN THE HOME OVER WHICH SHE PRESIDES.

Beautifully real. I like that.

Thank you Dan. You, my friend, are beautifully real.