Chips and Shards

Bryon Herbert Reece was a north Georgia farmer and writer whose work I first read back in my Young Harris College days.  Though not a prolific writer, his words ring true as profound and worth pondering.  When he died in 1958 he left two novels and four books of poetry.  One of my favorite lines which he wrote speaks of his legacy. "From chips and shards in idle times, I made these stories, shaped these rhymes; May they engage some friendly tongue When I am past the reach of song."  For Reece "chips and shards" would enable others to remember him after he was gone.    

All of us will leave some "chips and shards" when we are gone.  Maybe it will not be words as was the case with the poet, but there will be something of us which will cause others to hold our memory close.  Most likely it will not be the stuff we hold in our hands, but the things which have come forth from our hearts to touch the lives of others.  

And, it goes without saying that we want some of the "chips and shards" left from our life to speak of the value of our trust in God and our faith in the atoning act of Jesus on the cross.  A good poem is not always understood completely, but it points toward mystery.  Maybe it will be true that the signs of our faith will leave some unanswered questions, but if they point toward the Mystery which holds our life together, it will be enough.