Watchman, oh, watchman—

Conflict is what makes our story go around. In all of our lives, there is a struggle—at least one.
Maybe it’s because of the time of day. I get to the end of the day and at times when my soul seems in distress, these words come to me. Watchman, oh, watchman, what of the night…
We live in a transient world where things change and often quickly and much of what we see is not within our control. I suppose in many ways this is why being a writer is attractive.
In this setting and time, I have Pinterest boards set up in order to create my own worlds. I have beautiful houses with beautiful rooms of—you’ve got it—beautiful furniture.
I have boards with gorgeous gowns and hairstyles and not just women in lovely clothing, but men in three-piece suits, or tuxedoes and morning suits…and ties, and these people know things instinctively ie. how to dress, act, and what manners are required in situations which usually takes me a day or more to research.
Creating your own world is such a lure but at what cost? In any world, there will be conflict. Conflict is what makes our story go around. In all of our lives, there is a struggle—at least one. Within and without things are changing sometimes for the better and sadly, sometimes for the worse.
Yet, in my own life, the thing that has made the most profound and startling difference has been the Gospel of Jesus.
Coming from a dysfunctional family I realized at an early time in my life that my life was painful. At that time, without any idea what was missing and what would make a difference, I set out to find the answer.
That was a journey that has never ended.
And, as the old song said, the beat goes on. I’ve had many people tell me, ‘you have such nice children,’ or, ‘you have such a wonderful family.’ The gospel is the reason we have been different. And as I ponder on the reality of where we’re at I’m still hearing the call “Watchman, oh, watchman, what of the night?”
I did my best to create my own world where even if we didn’t always wear the newest fashions and live in fine beautiful homes at least our inner man/woman was striving for the beauty of the soul. And as we come closer to the end of the goal…
It pains me more deeply than words can convey to see how little our goodness and teachings of the Gospel have changed the world.
Yet, as the story of the man on the beach at dawn who sees a person walking toward him. As the person gets closer the man realizes that the figure is throwing stranded starfish back into the sea.
“You’ll never be able to throw all of these starfish back in the sea—look, you won’t make a difference here…” he says.
The other person looks at him, grabs another starfish, and throws it back in the sea. “I made a difference for that one.” And he repeats the action going on down the beach… “And that one, and that…”
“Isaiah 21:11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? 12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.”