Finding color in the gray

“Kommen sie hier, bitte.”

A simple phrase, yet a very special and poignant one in our home.

Several years ago, as we prepared for our trip to Europe, my husband and I devoured a couple of language tapes, trying to soak up enough French to sound legitimate in Paris and enough German to have some fun in Prague.

Now, almost a decade later, we remember very little of these impromptu language lessons. But this one German phrase, Kommen sie hier, bitte, remains a staple in my husband’s vocabulary. Translated, it means “Come here, please.”

But spoken in a hushed voice, accompanied by outstretched arms, it represents nothing short of pure comfort to me.

At the end of very tough days, or sometimes at the beginning of a busy one, I’ll hear those three words. “Kommen sie hier, bitte.” I walk into his waiting arms, and know that – even if for only a few brief moments – there is a refuge for me, sheltering me from the winds of uncertainty that sometimes swirl around us.

Like today.

Emotions and thoughts tumble through me, leaving me bone-weary. Is it a bad day? No, just the opposite really. A good day, with just a lot to deal with. But my life is rich simply because I have these people and these things.

People whom I love more than life itself.

And things that I’ve been entrusted with, and blessed to be a part of.

So even on days like today, when the energy is low and the mood is quiet, I can hear the voice of my heavenly Father beckoning to me:

“Kommen sie hier, bitte.”

He has outstretched arms that represent nothing short of pure comfort to me. Instantly, there is a calm. A peace. An unspeakable joy.
A refuge for me, sheltering me from the winds of uncertainty that sometimes swirl around me.

If you’re like me, you’re also feeling that pull, that invitation, to walk into His waiting arms today.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah -Psalm 32:7

4 Responses to Finding color in the gray
  1. Melissa
    March 12, 2009 | 7:31 am

    This is beautiful! What an amazing you and your husband have! I just love how you say they are not “bad” days, just good ones with alot to deal with! HOW TRUE! Thank you so much! I needed these helpful words this week!

  2. Checking In With The Sisters!
    March 14, 2009 | 9:24 am

    […] sie hier, bitte.” Did you catch that? If not, you need to read Staci’s post, Finding color in the gray, at 5 Minutes for Faith. She discusses how that simple German phrase helps her find comfort in her […]

  3. Barbara
    March 14, 2009 | 1:34 pm

    Actually, my Hubby has used this same phrase for our whole marriage – more often to call to one of our children, ‘though. lol.

    The familiarity of using a little German in our home, like ein bissen, is more on the fun side, remembering we met in Germany where he was stationed in the 1980’s. Thank you, Staci, for this sweet reminder of a sweet bit (ein bissen) of our past.

  4. Becoming Me
    March 23, 2009 | 9:23 am

    This was so so beautiful Staci. It really blessed me.